SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON
RIY
SENIOR DIVISION
FIRST QUARTER 1953
Introduction
The Christian church is passing through a perilous age. In
many lands the forces of evil have passed from veiled opposition
into open persecution. There are Christian martyrs today as
there were in the distant past. The fiercest testing time in his-
tory may break upon the church in this hour.
In such an age as this the church needs the sustaining assur-
ance of God's presence. From the Sacred Word of God we must
draw living power by storing its precious promises in our minds
and by building character on its eternal truths. From the mes-
sages of the spirit of prophecy we are to find heaven's counsel
for the church. In the church of Jesus Christ we are to find the
sweet fellowship of kindred spirits, encouraging, inspiring,
strengthening us for the last great conflict.
Such are the themes of this quarter's lessons. Studied daily,
received into the heart, they cannot fail to bring great blessing
to the faithful.
THIRTEENTH SABBATH OFFERING
MARCH 28, 1953
FAR EASTERN DIVISION
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, No. 231, January-March, 1953. 15 cents a single copy, 50 cents
a year, in U. S. A.; 15 cents a single copy, 60 cents a year, in Canada and foreign countries. Pub-
lished in the U. S. A. by Pacific Press Publishing Association (a corporation of S. D. A.), Mountain
View, California. Entered as second-class matter Oct. 13, 1904, at the post office in Mountain View,
California, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of
postage provided for in Section 1103, Act of Oct. 3, 1917, and authorized Sept. 18, 1918.
Copyright, 1952, by Pacific Press Publishing Association
Printed in U. S. A.
COVER: © NEWTON
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly
THREE AVENUES OF DIVINE WITNESS
The Word of God
The Testimony of Jesus
The Church of Christ
Lesson 1, for January 3, 1953
The Holy Scriptures
MEMORY VERSE:
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
2 Tim. 3:16.
STUDY HELP: W. E.
Read, "The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church,"
chapter 1.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
1.
General survey of the lesson.

5. Questions 12, 13.
2.
Questions 1-3; memorize

6. Questions 14, 15; read study help
2 Tim. 3:16.

assignment.
3.
Questions 4-7.

7. Review the entire lesson.
4.
Questions 8-11.
Lesson Outline:
I. Their Names
1.
The Scripture, the Scriptures. Luke
4:21.
2.
The Holy Scriptures. Rom. 1:2.
3.
Scriptures of the prophets. Matt.
26:56.
4.
The word of God. Eph. 6:17.
5.
The Oracles. Acts 7:38.
IV. Their Eternity
1.
"The word of the Lord endureth
forever." 1 Peter 1:25.
2.
Perpetual. Matt. 24:35.
V. Their Purpose
1.
For doctrine, reproof, correction, in-
struction. 2 Tim. 3:16.
2.
For man's equipment and perfection.
2 Tim. 3:17.
II. Their Symbols
1.
Food. John 6:48, 51, 58.
2.
Drink. Eph. 5:26.
3.
Precious things. Ps. 12:6.
4.
Light. Ps. 119:105.
5.
Weapons. Heb. 4:12 ; Jer. 23:29.
6.
Power. Rom. 1:16; Jer. 5:14.
III. Their Origin
1.
God. 2 Tim. 3:16.
2.
The Holy Ghost moved holy m
2 Peter
1:21.
Key Words:
1. "Word."
In
the New Testament this
comes from two words-(a)
Logos,
which
denotes the expression of thought, not merely
the name of something. 1 Cor. 14:9, 19. It
may be a statement by God, as in John 15:
25, or by Christ, as in Matt. 24:35. It is also
used of "the Personal Word, a title of the
Son of God; this identification is substan-
tiated by the statements of doctrine in John
en. 1:1-18."-Vine,
Expository Dictionary of
New Testament Words. (b) Rhema,
which
[3]
denotes that which is spoken or written. It
is used in Ephesians 6:17, "the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God," a refer-
ence to individual scriptures brought to the
believer's mind in time of need, he having
previously stored the mind with the words
of God.
2.
"Inspired."
This comes from two
words—"God," and "to breathe." The Scrip-
tures are thus "God-breathed," as distinct
from noninspired writings. Many old Bible
versions use "inspired of God" for "inspira-
tion."
THE LESSON
NoTE.—Observe the expressions, "gave,"
"gayest," "given." Christ, the Incarnate
Word, was given (John 3:16) ; the Bible,
the written word, was given (Ps. 68:11).
Their Names
1. What is the term generally used
in the Bible to describe the Sacred
Writings? Luke 4:21; Matt. 21:42.
NOTE.—The expressions
Scripture
and
Scriptures
are used many times in the Holy
Writings. Besides these there are expressions
such as the "Holy Scriptures" (Rom. 1:2),
"the Scriptures of the prophets" (Matt.
26:56), "the Scripture of truth" (Dan.
10:21).
2.
What other terms are used to
designate the written revelation from
heaven? Eph. 6:17; Heb. 5:12; Acts
7:38.
NoTE.—In Ephesians 6:17, the term trans-
lated
word
in the Authorized Version is one
that means "utterance," in this case an ut-
terance that goes forth from God's mouth,
thereby making it the sword that is so
effective in defeating spiritual foes. If we use
it just as God uttered it, preserving its exact
form, then there is power in what we say.
The word translated
oracles
in Hebrews
5:12 is one that refers not to outward form,
but particularly to the thought as part of a
speech or sermon, for example. It is the one
applied to Christ in John 1:1. At one time
there was no little discussion
ai6
to whether
it should be translated "Sermon" when the
reference is to Christ, as He is the living
expression of God's thought.
3.
What expression is used to show
how man came into possession of the
Scriptures? Ps. 68:11. Compare Ezra
7:6;
Neh. 9:13.
Their Symbols
4.
What are some of the figures or
symbols by which the word of God is
represented? Eph. 6:17; Ps. 119:105;
1 Peter
2:2.
NOTE.—The following passages liken the
word—
To food (bread, milk, water, honey, meat,
et cetera). 1 Peter 2:2 ; Eph. 5:26; Ps. 119:
103; Heb. 5:13, 14;
Steps to Christ,
page 93.
To precious things (gold, silver, precious
stones). Ps. 19:10; 12:6.
To light (light, lamp, candle). Ps. 119:
105;
Christ's Object Lessons,
pages 111, 406
(1923 ed., pp. 109, 110, 416).
To a sword. Eph. 6:17; compare Heb.
4:12.
[4
]
To flame, fire. Jer. 5:14; 23:29, first part.
To a hammer. Jer. 23:29, second part.
To power. Rom. 1:16.
the intimate relation of the divine
word with themselves? Jer. 1:9; 2
Sam. 23:2; Jer. 20:9.
Their Origin
5.
In what way were the
Scriptures given? 2 Tim. 3:16.
Holy

NOTE.—"It was Christ that spoke to His
people through the prophets. . . . It is the
voice of Christ that speaks to us through
the Old Testament."—Patriarchs
and Proph-
ets,
pages 366, 367.
10. How did successive prophets
relate themselves to previous revela-
tions from God? 2 Kings 22:8, 13;
Mal. 4:4; 2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Peter 1:10, 11.
6.
In what way is God's possession
of the prophet more fully described?
2 Peter 1:21.
NOTE.—Here it is seen that the Holy
Spirit, the Third Person of the Godhead,
is the moving agency directing God's serv-
ants, the prophets. They are "moved." The
word means "borne along," "carried along,"
"impelled," "driven." In Acts 27:15, 17 we
read of a ship being "driven" by the stormy
wind, and the same word is used in 2 Peter
1:21.
7.
How much of the Scriptures is
inspired? 2 Tim. 3:16.
NoTE.—"The union of the divine and the
human, manifest in Christ, exists also in the
Bible. The truths revealed are all 'given by
inspiration of God;' yet they are expressed
in the words of men. . . . This fact, so far
from being an argument against the Bible,
should strengthen faith in it as the word of
God. Those who pronounce upon the in-
spiration of the Scriptures, accepting some
portions as divine while they reject other
parts as human, overlook the fact that
Christ, the divine, partook of our human
nature, that He might reach humanity. In,
the work of God for man's redemption,
divinity and humanity are combined."—
Testimonies, vol.
5, pp. 747, 748.
8.
What authoritative expressions
are used in the Bible indicating its
divine origin? Ezek. 2:4; Jer. 10:1;
Isa. 44:6.
9.
How do the prophets describe
NOTE.—The prophets accepted the reve-
lation through Moses; the apostles accepted
the divine word which came through both
Moses and the prophets. Jesus Christ also
accepted the writings of Moses, the psalms
(including the other historical books), and
the prophets. Luke 24:44.
11.
How intimately are the Scrip-
tures of the Old Testament related to
the experiences in the New? John
5:46, 47; Luke 24:27.
NOTE.—"The word of God includes the
Scriptures of the Old Testament as well as
of the New. One is not complete without
the other. Christ declared that the truths
of the Old Testament are as valuable as
those of the
New."—Christ's Object Les-
sons,
page 126.
Their Eternity
12.
In what language is the eternal
character of the word of God ex-
pressed? Isa. 40:8; 1 Peter 1:25.
NoTE.—The word of God is the word of
the living God, the Creator of all things.
God is eternal (Deut. 33:27) ; His word
must of necessity be eternal. Isaiah tells us
that the word "shall stand forever." Isa. 40:
8. Peter remarks that it "endureth forever."
1 Peter 1:25.
[
5
1
13.
How did the Lord further illus-
trate and emphasize the perpetual
nature of His Holy Word? Matt. 24:
35; Ps. 119:89.
NcrrE.-" 'Forever,
0
Lord, Thy word is
settled in heaven.' God's word, or law, is
eternal and unchanging-fixed and estab-
lished forever in the heaven of heavens."
-The Pulpit Commentary,
on Psalms, vol.
3, p. 108.
Their Purpose
14.
For what purpose was the word
of God given to men? 2 Tim. 3:16,
last part; Rom. 15:4.
15.
What is God's design for us,
so far as the Scriptures are concerned?
2 Tim. 3:17.
NOTE.-"Wonderful possibilities are open
to those who lay hold of the divine assur-
ances of God's
word."-Testimonies,
vol.
8, p. 322.
"Tbe whole Bible is a revelation of the
glory of God in Christ. Received, believed,
obeyed, it is the great instrumentality in the
transformation of character."-Testimonies,
vol. 8, p. 319.
Illustration:
An old hunter who moved to
a
new com-
munity in Michigan frequently got lost, so
friends bought him a compass. He got lost
again one day and a searching party found
him. "Why didn't you use the compass ?"
he was asked.
"I
tried to make it point north, but the
thing wiggled every time I shook it, and then
it pointed southeast," he answered.
We must take the Bible, use it intelli-
gently, and then follow its leading.
Lesson 2, for January 10, 1953
Christ and the Holy Scriptures
MEMORY VERSE:
"Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto
them
in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:27.
STUDY HELP:
"The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church," chapter
2.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
1.
General survey of the lesson.

5. Questions 7-10.
2.
Questions 1-3; memorize Luke 24:27.

6. Questions 11, 12.
3.
Questions 4-6.

7. Review the entire lesson.
4.
Read study help assignment.
Lesson Outline:
I. The
Scriptures
Testify of Christ.
Luke
24:25, 27, 44.
1.
Concerning His first advent. Gen. 3:
15; Acts 3:24, 25.
2.
Concerning His life and death. Isa.
53:1-12.
3.
Concerning His resurrection, ascen-
sion, and coming kingdom.
Ps. 2:
7; 16:10; 68:18; Acts 3:20, 21.
II. Christ
Testifies
to the Scriptures.
1.
The Old Testament statements
about
Him were true. Luke 24:44.
2.
The Scriptures all testified
of Him.
John 5:39.
[6
1
3. His quotations from and references
to the Old Testament include 66
references from the five books of
Moses, 36 from the Psalms, 40
from Isaiah, and 22 from Daniel.
Background Information:
The Hebrew Scriptures used by Jesus
were not arranged as are our Old Testament
books today. He referred to them in Luke
24:44: "in the law of Moses, and in the
prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me."
This was the threefold division of the He-
brew Scriptures as compiled by the Jews.
The Law
(Pentateuch) included Gen-
esis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuter-
onomy.
The Prophets
included Joshua, Judges,
1 Samuel,
2
Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, Isaiah,
Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Oba-
diah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah,
Habakkuk, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.
The Writings
included Psalms, Proverbs,
Job, Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations,
Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah,
1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles.
THE LESSON
The Scriptures Testify of Him
1.
Who was foretold by all the
prophets? Acts 10:43; 26:22.
NorE.—"In every page, whether history,
or precept, or prophecy, the Old Testament
Scriptures are irradiated with the glory of
the Son of God. . . . To Christ 'give all the
prophets witness.'
"—The Desire of Ages,
page 211.
2.
In what language did Philip
declare his witness concerning the
Messiah? John 1:45.
NOTE.—"The Saviour is revealed in the
Old Testament as clearly as in the New. It
is the light from the prophetic past that
brings out the life of Christ and the teach--
ings of the New Testament with clearness
and beauty."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 799.
3.
Of whom did Jesus say the Scrip-
tures testify, and how did He use
them? John 5:39; Luke 24:25, 27, 44.
NoTE.—"Jesus said of the Old Testament
Scripithres,

. 'They are they which testify
of Me,' the Redeemer, Him in whom our
hopes of eternal life are centered. Yes, the
whole Bible tells of Christ."—Steps
to
Christ,
page 92.
Concerning the First Advent
4.
What is the first promise of re-
demption recorded in the Sacred
Writings? Gen. 3:15.
5.
To whom and how was this
promise of the coming seed reiterated
through the centuries? Gen. 22:18;
Acts 3:25; Gen. 26:4; 28:14.
6.
By what other figures and sym-
bols was the coming of the Deliverer
foreshadowed?
[7
]
As Shiloh. Gen. 49:10.
As the Rock. Deut. 32:4; 1 Cor. 10:4.
As the Angel of the Lord. Ex. 14:19;
Acts 7:35, 38.
As the Branch. Zech. 6:12.
As the I AM. Ex. 3:14; John 8:58.
As the Cornerstone. Isa. 28:16; 1 Peter
2:6.
As the Desire of all nations. Haggai 2:7.
Concerning His Life and Death
7.
What did the prophet Isaiah tes-
tify concerning the life, sufferings,
and death of the Sent of God? Isa.
61:1-3; 53:1-12.
NoTE.—"Christ was the medium through
which He could pour out His infinite love
upon a fallen world. 'God was in Christ,
reconciling the world unto Himself' God
suffered with His Son. In the agony of
Gethsemane, the death of Calvary, the heart
of Infinite Love paid the price of our re-
demption."—Steps
to Christ,
page 15.
Concerning His Resurrection,
Ascension, and Coming Kingdom
8.
According to the seers of ancient
days, what glory was to follow the
sufferings of Jesus? Ps. 16:10, com-
pare Acts 13:34-37; Ps. 68:18, com-
pare Eph. 4:8.
NcrrE.—"Under the inspiration of the Al-
mighty, the sweet singer of Israel had testi-
fied of the glories of the resurrection morn.
`My flesh also,' he joyously proclaimed,
`shall rest in hope. For Thou wilt not leave
My soul in hell [the grave]; neither wilt
Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corrup-
tion.'
"—The Acts of the Apostles,
page 227.
9.
What are some of the prophetic
forecasts concerning the glorious ap-
pearing of Jesus and the setting up
of His everlasting kingdom? Ps. 50:
3-5; Hab. 3:3-8. Compare Acts 3:20,
21.
10.
What was the chief purpose of
the writers of the New Testament?
John 20:31; Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-3;
Rev. 1:1.
NOTE.-"All
the lines of history and type,
of psalm and prophecy, converge toward
one center—Jesus Christ, and to the su-
preme event, His death on the cross for our
salvation. And from that center again all
the lines of history in the book of Acts, of
experience in the Epistles, and of prophecy
in Revelation, radiate out once more to
testify that the Father sent the Son to be
the Saviour of the world."—A. M. Hodg-
kin,
Christ in All the Scriptures,
Preface,
page 5.
Christ Testifies to the Scriptures
11.
How did Jesus Himself endorse
the Old Testament Scriptures? John
5:39; Luke 24:44.
NOTE.—In the New Testament, three di-
visions of the Hebrew Scriptures are recog-
nized—the law, that is, the Pentateuch; the
prophets; and the psalms. Jesus referred
to all three. See also:
The Pentateuch. John 5:44-47.
The Prophets. Luke 4:16-21.
The Psalms. Mark 12:35-37.
"The Old Testament sheds light upon the
New, and the New upon the Old. Each is a
revelation of the glory of God in Christ.
Christ as manifested to the patriarchs, as
symbolized in the sacrificial service, as por-
trayed in the law, and as revealed by the
prophets, is the riches of the Old Testament.
Christ in His life, His death, and His resur-
rection; Christ as He is manifested by the
Holy Spirit, is the treasure of the New.
Both Old and New present truths that will
continually reveal new depths of meaning
to the earnest
seeker."—Counsels to Par-
ents, Teachers, and Students,
pages 462, 463.
12.
How may sinful man become
acquainted with the Son of God?
John 5:24; 20:31.
[ 8 ]
Nora.-"You should search the Bible; for
it tells you of Jesus. As you read the Bible,
you will see the matchless charms of Jesus.
You will fall in love with the Man of Cal-
vary. . . . You may drink of the waters of
salvation. . . . Then your lips will speak
thanksgiving to
God."-Life Sketches,
page
293.
Illustration:
Once a piece of amber was discovered
which, when viewed under a magnifying
glass, was found to have embedded in it a
minute insect perfectly preserved in every
detail. No on knows how it got there, and
no one can take it out without destroying
the gem and the insect.
In like manner we know how Christ is
"in all the Scriptures," and no one can take
Him out of them, for He is central and
supreme.
Lesson 3, for January 17, 1953
Searching the Scriptures
MEMORY VERSE:
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim. 2:15.
STUDY HELP:
"The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church," chapter 3.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
•
1. General survey of the lesson.
2.
Questions 1-3; memorize
2 Tim. 2:15.
3.
Question 4; read study help
assignment.
4.
Questions 5-7.
5.
Questions 8, 9.
6.
Questions 10-14.
7.
Review the entire lesson.
The Unerring Guide
1. What evidence do we have that
Jesus accepted the Scriptures as an un-
erring guide? Luke 24:25, 27, 44.
Lesson Outline:
I.
The Authority of the Bible.
1.
Jesus believed it all. Luke 24:25.
2.
It was His unerring guide. Matt.
22:29.
3.
He believed the Scriptures could not
be broken. John 10:35.
4.
They were the Alpha and Omega, as
He also was. Rev. 21:6;
Testi-
monies,
vol. 8, p. 299.
II. The Blessings of the Bible.
1.
It cleanses and sanctifies. John 15:
3;
17:17.
2.
It satisfies and edifies. Ps. 119:10;
Acts 20:32.
3.
It comforts and strengthens. Ps. 119:
28,52.
III. The Study of the Bible.
1.
We must be ready to hear God's
words. Rev. 1:3.
2.
We should meditate prayerfully,
daily, diligently. 1 Tim. 4:15; Ps.
119:18;
Education,
page 189.
3.
We must follow the Holy Spirit's
guidance. 1 Cor. 2:10, 11.
THE LESSON
Nora.-"Jesus
so reverenced the Scrip-
tures for the sole reason that they are of
God in the highest sense in which those
words have ever been understood. The Old
Testament was to Jesus God's Book-the
[ 9 ]
Father's expressed mind and will."-John
Urquhart,
The Inspiration and Accuracy of
the Holy Scriptures,
pages 80, 81.
2.
What further considerations lead
us to conclude that the Holy Writings
are unerring in their counsel? John
20:31.
NOTE.-"The Bible presents a perfect
standard of character; it is an infallible
guide under all circumstances, even to the
end of the journey of life. Take it as the
man of your counsel, the rule of your daily
life."-Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 264.
The Alpha and Omega
of Knowledge
3.
What term, applied to Christ,
the Eternal Word, may also properly
be applied to His written word?
Rev. 21:6.
NoTE.-"We have a Bible full of the most
precious truth. It contains the Alpha and
Omega of
knowledge."-Testimonies,
vol. 8,
p. 299.
The Rule of Faith and Doctrine
4.
By what should doctrines and
faiths be tested? Isa. 8:20; John 5:39;
2 Tim. 3:15.
NOTE.-"The Bible, and the Bible alone,
is our rule of
faith."-Testimonies on Sab-
bath-School Work,
page 32.
Blessings From the Study
of the Word
5.
What are some of the charac-
teristics of the word of God?
ANSWER:
The word of God is:
Pure. Prov. 30:5.
Holy. Rom. 1:2.
Sure. 2 Peter 1:19.
Faithful. Titus 1:9.
Reliable. 1 Kings 8:56.
Living. Heb. 4:12.
6.
What can be accomplished in
the lives of God's children as a result
of the study of the Scriptures?
ANSWER: They can be:
Cleansed. John 15:3.
Sanctified. John 17:17.
Satisfied. Ps. 119:103.
Edified. Acts 20:32.
Comforted. Ps. 119:52.
Strengthened. Ps. 119:28.
7.
When we permit our lives to be
guided by God's word, how shall we
regard it?
ANSWER: We shall:
Trust it. Ps. 119:42.
Meditate on it. Ps. 119:15.
Love it. Ps. 119:140.
Preach it. Acts 8:4.
Duty to Study the Bible
8.
What earnest counsel is given
concerning the study of the word of
God? 2 Tim. 2:15.
9.
What examples are given in the
Bible of those who diligently studied
the Scriptures? 1 Peter 1:10; Acts
17:11.
NOTE.-The original words rendered
"search" in these texts mean to search into,
to examine fully, to explore.
"The minds of the Bereans were not nar-
rowed by prejudice. .. . Daily they searched
the Inspired Records; and as they compared
scripture with scripture, heavenly angels
were beside them, enlightening their minds
and impressing their hearts."-The
Acts of
the Apostles,
page 231.
I
10 ]
How to Study
10.
What counsel does the Lord
give us as to how to study His Sacred
Word? Isa. 28:10.
NoTE.—"In daily study the verse-by-verse
method is often most helpful. Let the stu-
dent take one verse, and concentrate the
mind on ascertaining the thought that God
has put into that verse for him, and then
dwell upon the thought until it becomes his
own. One passage thus studied until its sig-
nificance is clear, is of more value than the
perusal of many chapters with no definite
purpose in view, and no positive instruction
gained."—Education,
page 189.
11.
What assurance of divine help
do we have as we approach the word
of God? Eph. 1:17, 18.
12.
Through whom does the Lord
direct us in our study of His word?
1 Cor. 2:10, 11, 14; John 14:26.
13.
What may we sometimes en-
counter in our meditation upon the
divine word? 2 Peter 3:15, 16.
NOTE.—"The word of God, like the char-
acter of its divine 'Author, presents mysteries
that can never be fully comprehended by
finite beings. The entrance of sin into the
world, the incarnation of Christ, regenera-
tion, the resurrection, and many other sub-
jects presented in the Bible, are mysteries
too deep for the human mind to explain, or
even fully to comprehend. But we have no
reason to doubt God's word because we can-
not understand the mysteries of His provi-
dence."—Steps
to Christ,
page
111.
14.
What prayers of David indicate
the desires of a sincere student of the
word of life? Ps. 119:18; 143:10; 25:5.
Illustration:
A great philosopher and poet had given a
discourse on the internal evidences of the
Bible. He closed with a statement of his own
experience with the Bible. "Other books I
find at my will," he said, then added impres-
sively, "but the Bible finds
me!"
Do you study the Bible? Has it found
you?
For Further Study:
1.
Searching the Bible makes us fall in
love with Jesus, the Man of Calvary. See
Life Sketches,
page 293.
2.
Utilizing the spare moments of
a
busy
life in reading the word is profitable.
Coun-
sels to Parents, Teachers, and Students,
page 463.
3.
The Bible alone is our rule of faith and
doctrine.
Testimonies on Sabbath-School
Work,
page 32;
Gospel Workers,
page 249.
4.
Some productive methods of Bible
study:
a.
Biographical or character study. He-
brews 11;
Testimonies,
vol. 4, pp. 9, 15.
b.
This method gives us wide views as we
read large sections at one sitting. Various
inexpensive outline book studies are on the
market.
The Outlined Bible,
by G. Campbell
Morgan, is good, but larger.
c.
Chapter-and-verse study.
The Desire
of Ages,
page 390;
Education,
page 189.
d.
Doctrinal study.
To take a doctrine like
faith, righteousness, grace, the Sabbath, and
follow it through the Bible is an exhaustless
source of profit.
e.
Topical study. As distinct from doc-
trines, we might take themes like patience,
alertness, activity, the pidposes of God, etc.
f.
Historical and chronological study.
Such study, by a good student especially,
may help him profit from events and dates.
The sojourn of Israel in Egypt, the Exodus
wanderings, the captivities, the apostasies
and reforms in Israel, the 2300 days, are but
a few illustrations.
Lesson 4, for January 24, 1953
The Word of God
MEMORY VERSE:
"But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the
word which by the gospel is preached unto you." 1 Peter 1:25.
STUDY HELP:
"The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church," chapter 4.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
1.
General survey of the lesson.
2.
Questions 1, 2; memorize 1 Peter
1:25.
3.
Questions 3-5.
4.
Questions 6-8.
5.
Questions 9, 10; read study
help assignment.
6.
Questions 11, 12.
7.
Review the entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I.
Definition of the Word of God.
1.
The words of God to man recorded
in writing. Heb. 4:12.
2.
The words of God to man in living,
audible form. John 1:1-3, 14.
II. The Nature of the Word of God.
1. It is described as-
a.
Creative. Heb. 11:3.
b.
Sustaining. Col. 1:17.
c.
Delivering. Deut. 11:23.
d.
Healing. Matt. 8:
8.
e.
Saving. Acts 13:26;
The Minis-
try of Healing,
page 122.
f.
Powerful. Heb. 1:3.
2. Its every promise contains the power
and life of God.
Christ's Object
Lessons,
page 38.
III. The Effects of the Word of
God.
1.
It conveys eternal life. John 6:51-54.
2.
It brings satisfaction into human
life. Jer. 15:16.
IV. Our Attitude to the Word of God.
1.
We should receive it as a divine rev-
elation. 1 Thess. 2:13 ;
Patriarchs
and Prophets,
page 278.
2.
We must act on its precepts. James
1:22.
THE LESSON
Definition of the Word of God
1.
By what name are the Scriptures
called? Heb. 4:12, first part.
2.
What is the living word of God?
John 1:1-3; Rev. 19:13; 1 John 1:1.
NOTE.
-"By
coming to dwell with us,
Jesus was to reveal God both to men and to
angels. He was the Word of God-God's
thought made audible."-The
Desire of
Ages,
page 19.
"The only-begotten Son of God is called
`the Word' because:
1. He reveals what is
hidden; 2. Manifests what is unseen; 3. Ac-
tively and creatively expresses the divine
thought. He speaks and it is done, corn-
mands and it stands fast.
'All things were
[
12]
made by Him, and without Him was not
anything made that was made.'
With what
the heart is filled the mouth runs over. That
with which the heart of God is filled is locked
up in the Word, who is with God and was
God."—Preacher's Homiletic Commentary:
St. John, page 34.
The Nature of the Word
3.
What is said about the power
and authority of God's word? Heb.
4:12, 13; Luke 4:32.
NOTE.—"In every command and in every
promise of the word of God is the power, the
very life of God, by which the command
may be fulfilled and the promise realized.
He who by faith receives the word is receiv-
ing the very life and character of God."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 38.
"The creative energy that called the worlds
into existence is in the word of God. This
word imparts power; it begets life. Every
command is a promise; accepted by the will,
received into the soul, it brings with it the
life of the Infinite One. It transforms the
nature, and re-creates the soul in the image
of
God."—Education,
page 126.
4.
What are some of the recorded
evidences of the working of this word
of power?
ANSWER:
In
creating. Ps. 33:6, 9; Heb.
1:2; Ps. 148:5.
In upholding. Heb. 1:3 ; Col. 1:17.
In miracle .working. Mark 2:2-12; Luke
4:32-36.
In delivering. Ex. 12:23, 29; Ps. 105:28,
31, 34, 42.
5.
Of what significance is it to us
that the word of God is all powerful?
James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23.
6.
What important lessons may be
learned from contemplation of the
word of God?
By the word of God we must live. Deut.
8:3 ; Matt. 4:4.
Partaking of the living Bread means ever-
lasting life. John 6:35, 57, 58, 63.
NOTE.—"As our physical life is sustained
by food, so our spiritual life is sustained by
the word of God. And every soul is to re-
ceive life from God's word for himself. As
we must eat for ourselves in order to receive
nourishment, so we must receive the word
for ourselves."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
390.
The Effects of the Word
7.
What are some of the effects of
the word of God in the lives of those
who receive it? Ps. 119:9, 11; 107:20.
NoTE.—"We allow our minds to be drawn
away from the word. If the word of God
were eaten as the food for the soul, if it
were treated with respect and deference,
there would be no necessity for the many
and repeated testimonies that are borne. The
simple declarations of Scripture would be re-
ceived and acted
upon."—Testimonies,
vol.
6, p. 393 (1948 ed, pp. 392, 393).
ANSWER:
Christ is the living Bread. John
6:51.
8. What assurance does the Lord
give to those who accept and obey His
Holy Word?
[ 13 ]
ANSWER: The word never fails. Joshua
21:45 ; 1 Kings 8:56.
The word abides in us. John 15:7; 1 John
2:14.
The word produces faith. Rom. 10:17.
Our Attitude
9.
What was one outstanding fea-
ture of the Thessalonian believers in
their relation to the word of God?
1 Thess. 2:13.
NOTE.—To them it was not the "word of
men," but the "word of God." They "re-
ceived" it as such, the living word of power,
and it effectually worked in their lives.
"If we would live a true Christian life, the
conscience must be quickened by constant
contact with the word of God. All the pre-
cious things which at infinite cost God has
provided for us will do us no good ; they can-
not strengthen us and produce spiritual
growth unless we appropriate them. We
must eat the word of God—make it a part
of
ourselves."—Testimonies, vol.
7, p. 195.
10.
What was it that characterized
Jeremiah in his relation to the word
of God? Jer. 15:16.
NoTE.—"The followers of Christ . .. must
receive and assimilate the word of God so
that it shall become the motive power of life
and action. . . . They must eat the flesh and
drink the blood of the Son of God, or there
is no life in
them."—Patriarchs and Proph-
ets,
page 278.
11.
What is one vital factor in our
relation to the word of truth? James
1:22; 1 John 2:17.
NorE.—It is important to have a "knowl-
edge" of the truth. 1 Tim. 2:4. It is vital that
we "believe the truth" (2 Thess. 2:13), it is
important that we "obey the truth" (1 Peter
1:22), and, more so, that we "love the truth"
(2 Thess. 2:10).
"No matter how zealous men may be in
their observance of religious ceremonies, the
Lord cannot accept them if they persist in
willful violation of one of His commands."
—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 634.
12.
After we have received and
obeyed the word of God, what does
the Lord expect us to do? 2 Tim. 4:1,
2; Rev. 1:3.
NoTE.—"The Saviour's commission to the
disciples included all the believers. It in-
cludes all believers in Christ to the end of
time. . . . All who receive the life of Christ
are ordained to work for the salvation of
their fellow
men."—The Desire of Ages,
page
822.
"The doers of the word are those who are
ruled by it, who practically comply with its
requirements, who not only read, under-
stand, and believe it, but submit to its auth-
ority, regulate their tempers and lives by its
precepts. The term, too, is expressive of con-
tinuance, permanence. We must live and
move in this element, we must find our occu-
pation here the chief delight of our existence.
It is only such doing that constitutes a doer
of the word. 'And not hearers only.' This is
what the apostle is anxious to guard against.
Mark what it really is which he condemns.
It is not being hearers—very far from that.
It is the stopping short here, resting in it,
which he condemns. He finds no fault with
those who are hearers, it is with those who
are hearers simply and 'not doers.' He adds,
`Deceiving your own selves.' Whatever the
foundation on which they build, whatever
the process by which they reach the conclu-
sion in their own favor—all who think well
of themselves, who believe that they are
God's people, and on the way to heaven,
while they are hearers only and not doers—
all such must, and do, delude themselves.
They are helped to this result. The father of
lies tries to persuade them that they are all
right as to their spiritual character. He
labors to hide from us the truth, and to draw
us into the meshes of soul-ruining error."—
The Biblical Illustrator,
St. James, page 159.
Illustration:
A skeptic acquaintance of a Christian
minister of note wrote a letter offering to
lend him the infidel works of Paine and Vol-
taire. The minister replied, thanking him,
[14
1
but pointing out that he had not yet done
with reading Moses and the prophets.
Reading the word and practicing the
Christian life is a full-time occupation.
For Further Study:
1.
God's word should be stored in the
mind.
Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 460.
2.
Character is developed by obedience to
the word.
The Desire of Ages,
pages 126,
314;
Gospel Workers,
page 250.
3.
We are to claim every promise in the
word.
Gospel Workers,
page 100.
4.
The Bible does not teach extreme views.
Gospel Workers,
page 90.
5.
Ineffective service may be caused by
failure to study the word.
Counsels to Par-
ents, Teachers, and Students,
page 441.
6.
The Bible and the Bible alone should
be heard from the pulpit.
Prophets and
Kings,
page 626.
7.
We have much more to learn from the
Bible.
Gospel Workers,
page 251;
Funda-
mentals of Education,
page 474.
8.
Daily study and prayerful contempla-
tion of Bible necessary.
Testimonies, vol.
5, pp. 573-579.
Lesson 5, for January 31, 1953
The Perpetuity of the Prophetic Gift
MEMORY VERSE:
"Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established;
believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper." 2 Chron. 20:20.
STUDY HELP:
"The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church," chapter 5.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
1.
General survey of the lesson.
2.
Questions 1, 2; memorize
2 Chron 20:20.
3.
Questions 3-5.
4.
Questions 6, 7; read study help
assignment.
5.
Questions 8-11.
6.
Questions 12, 13.
7.
Review the entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I.
The Medium of the Prophetic Gift.
1.
In pre-Christian days God commu-
nicated through priests, elders,
angels, prophets. Gen. 14:18; 16:
7; Ex. 3:16; Gen. 20:7.
a.
Enoch was a prophet. Jude 14.
b.
Abraham was a prophet. Gen. 20:
1-7.
c.
Jacob prophesied on his death-
bed. Gen. 49:1.
d.
Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jer-
emiah, Daniel were among Is-
rael's prophets.
2. The apostles revered the messages of
the prophets. Rom. 1:2.
3. In the Christian Era the various
gifts of the Holy Spirit came
through men, and prophecy was
one of these gifts. Eph. 4:8, 11.
4.
The church waiting for the advent
has the gifts of the Spirit. 1 Cor.
1:7; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.
Key Thoughts:
1.
There is but one Spirit. Eph. 4:4.
2.
There are "diversities of gifts" from
this one Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:4.
3.
The Holy Spirit of 1 Corinthians 12 is
the same as "the Spirit of Christ which was
in them" (the prophets of old). 1 Peter 1:11.
4.
The greatest spiritual outpouring of all
time is prophesied for the last days. Joel 2:
28, 32;
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 121.
5.
Every true member of the church in
the last days is to do pentecostal things for
God.
Testimonies, vol.
7, p. 33.
6.
"The theme of prophecy is Jesus. It is
not certain future events, dark or bright,
presented to the view of the curious and
speculative; it is Jesus; earthly events and
[ 15 ]
hopes and fears only as linked with Him.
(H. H. Bonar,
D.D.)"—Biblical Illustrator,
on Revelation, page 551.
7.
"He [the Christian] is not at liberty to
turn from them [the Scriptures] to learn his
duty through any of the gifts. We say that
the very moment he does, he places the gifts
in a wrong place, and takes an extremely
dangerous position. The word should be in
front, and the eye of the church should be
placed upon it, as the rule to walk by, and
the fountain of wisdom, from which to learn
duty in 'all good works.' "—James White,
Review and Herald,
Feb. 28, 1856.
"Seventh-day Adventists have but one
Bible. That is the one foundation of faith
and doctrine. The church is built upon
Christ, and all its doctrine upon the living
word. All spiritual gifts are gifts to the
church that is built upon the word. These
gifts are to minister the word of God to us,
and to lead us into the Scriptures, which are
our one rule of faith.
"That has always been the teaching in this
advent movement. In the first little booklet
issued by James White, our early leader
(who became the husband of Ellen G..Har-
mon), he wrote, in 1847: 'The Bible is a
perfect and complete revelation. It is our
only rule of faith and practice.'—A
Word to
the Little Flock,
page 13."—William A.
Spicer,
The Spirit of Prophecy in the Advent
Movement,
page 29.
THE LESSON
The Medium

In the Days of the Patriarchs
1. After sin entered the world, what

3. Who was one of the earliest
were some of the agencies God used prophets mentioned in the Bible?
to indicate His will to men?

Jude 14.
ANSWER: Through the priesthood. Gen.
14 : 18.
Through angels. Gen. 16:7.
Through prophets. Gen. 20:7.
Through elders. Ex. 3:16.
Through ministers. Ex. 24:13.
NoTE.—"It has always been part of the
system of the divine government to employ
men
as instruments for the conveyance of
heavenly truth and blessing to the world at
large. Whether it be as the announcers of the
revealed message, as the writers of the in-
spired Scripture, as the official representa-
tives of God in matters relating to the atone-
ment, or as teachers and guides of the people,
human instruments have been employed."
—R. B. Girdlestone,
Synonyms of the Old
Testament,
page 238.
2. What were some of the distinc-
tive names given to those who ex-
ercised the prophetic gift?
ANSWER: They were known as prophets
(1 Sam. 9:9), seers, (1 Chron. 26:28), mes-
sengers (Mal. 3:1), spokesmen (Ex. 7:1,
4 : 16) .
NOTE.—"Through holy angels, God re-
vealed to Enoch His purpose to destroy the
world by a flood, and He also opened more
fully to him the plan of redemption. By the
spirit of prophecy He carried him down
through the generations that should live
after the Flood, and showed him the great
events connected with the second coming of
Christ and the end of the
world."—Patri-
archs and Prophets,
page 85.
In the Genesis story the first recorded act
of a prophet was that he should pray or
intercede for another. The expression in the
text, "And he shall pray for thee," is ren-
dered by Moffatt, "And he will intercede for
you." Hence part of the work of a prophet
is intercession.
4. Under what circumstances did
God endorse the prophetic gift of
Abraham? Gen. 20:1-7.
NoTE.—"The psalmist refers to this chap-
ter [Genesis 201 in Abraham's experience
when he says . . . God 'reproved kings for
their sakes, saying, Touch not Mine anointed,
[ 16 ]
"HOLY MEN OF GOD SPAKE
AS THEY WERE MOVED
BY THE HOLY GHOST"
and do My prophets no harm.'
"—Patriarchs
and Prophets,
page 131.
5.
On what occasion did Jacob ex-
ercise the prophetic gift? Gen. 49:1.
NOTE.—"At the last, all the sons of Jacob
were gathered about his dying bed. And
Jacob called unto his sons, and said, 'Gather
yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of
Jacob ; and hearken unto Israel your father,'
`that I may tell you that which shall befall
you in the last days.' Often and anxiously he
had thought of their future, and had en-
deavored to picture to himself the history of
the different tribes. Now as his children
waited to receive his last blessing, the Spirit
of inspiration rested upon him; and before
him in prophetic vision the future of his
descendants was unfolded. One after an-
other, the names of his sons were mentioned,
the character of each was described, and the
future history of the tribe was briefly f ore-
told."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 235.
"Through patriarchs and prophets . . . a
long line of inspired prophecy pointed to the
advent of 'the Desire of all nations.'
"—
Prophets and Kings,
page 697.
In the Days of the Israelites
6.
Who were some of the men in
the days of Israel who were designated
as prophets?
ANSWER: Moses. Deuteronomy 18:15.
Elijah. 1 Kings 18:36.
Elisha. 2 Kings 6:12.
Isaiah. 2 Kings 20:1.
Jeremiah. Jeremiah 29:1.
Daniel. Matthew 24:15.
NoTE.—"From the earliest times, prophets
had been recognized as teachers divinely ap-
pointed. In the highest sense the prophet
was one who spoke by direct inspiration,
communicating to the, people the messages
he had received from God. But the name
was given also to those who, though not so
directly inspired, were divinely called to in-
struct the people in the works and ways of
God."—Education,
page 46.
7.
In the New Testament what em-
phasis is given to the fact that God
revealed Himself through prophets
in Old Testament days? Rom. 1:2;
Acts 3:18; Heb. 1:1.
In the Days of the Apostles
8.
How was this gift perpetuated
in the days of the apostles, and what
instances are recorded of the manifes-.
tation of the prophetic gift in the
apostolic church? Eph. 4:8, 11; Acts
13:1; 11:27, 28; 15:32; 21:10, 11.
NOTE.—"A
particular prediction of a
fam-
ine approaching, delivered by one of these
prophets, his name Agabus ; we read of him
again prophesying Paul's imprisonment, ch.
21:10, 11. Here he stood up . . . and proph-
esied. . . . What he said was not of him-
self, ... but
he signified it by the Spirit, the
Spirit of prophecy."—Matthew
Henry, An
Exposition of the Old and New Testament,
on Acts 11:27, 28.
9.
What definite counsel from the
Lord shows that the prophetic gift is
a permanent possession of the church?
1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11-13.
NOTE.—"The church which He [Christ]
founded was a church in which prophecy
[17
]
was to be a continuous possession."—G. C.
Joyce,
The Inspiration of Prophecy,
page
139.
" 'When He, the Spirit of truth, is come,
He will guide you into all truth: ... and He
will show you things to come.' John 14:26;
16:13. Scripture plainly teaches that these
promises, so far from being limited to apos-
tolic days, extend to the church of Christ in
all ages."—The
Great Controversy,
Intro-
duction, page viii.
It is the purpose of God that these gifts
remain in the church "till we all come into
the unity of the faith [marginal reading] ;"
"unto a perfect man;" "unto the measure of
the stature of the fullness of Christ."
10.
What symbol of the church of
God further illustrates the importance
of the various gifts? 1 Cor. 12:12-31.
NoTE.—"In this body there are various
members, and one member cannot perform
exactly the same office as another. The eyes
are made for seeing, and in no case can they
perform the work of the ears, which is that
of hearing; neither can the ears take the
place of the mouth, nor the mouth perform
the office of the nose. Yet all these organs
are necessary to the perfect whole and work
in beautiful harmony with one another."—
Testimonies,
vol. 4, page 128.
11.
In this connection what are we
told that a prophet was formerly
called? 1 Sam. 9:9. Compare Isa. 1:1.
NoTE.—The word rendered "seer" means
in the Hebrew one who sees, and hence rep-
resents a prophet who in vision sees clearly
the purpose and message of God.
In the Days of the Remnant
12.
Might we conclude, then, that
God's plan provides for the prophetic
gift to be seen in the remnant church?
1 Cor. 1:7; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.
NOTE.—"In His providence the Lord has
seen fit to teach and warn His people in var-
ious ways. By direct command, by the Sacred
Writings, and by the spirit of prophecy
has He made known unto them His will."
—Testimonies,
vol. 4, pp. 12, 13.
"In ancient times God spoke to men by
the mouth of prophets and apostles. In these
days He speaks to them by the
Testimonies
of His Spirit. There was never a time when
God instructed His people more earnestly
than He instructs them now concerning His
will and the course that He would have them
pursue."—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 148 (1948
ed., pp. 147, 148)..
13.
What counsel given centuries
ago by Jehoshaphat is good counsel
for the church today? 2 Chron. 20:20.
NOTE.—"The errors and wrongdoings in
the lives of professed Christians are recorded
for the instruction of those who are liable to
fall into the same temptations. The experi-
ence of one serves as a beacon light to warn
others of the rocks of danger.
"Thus are revealed the 'snares and devices
of Satan, the importance of perfecting Chris-
tian character, and the means by which this
result may be obtained. Thus God indicates
what is necessary to secure His blessing."--
Testimonies,
vol 4, p. 13.
"Of special value to God's church on earth
today—the keepers of His vineyard—are the
messages of counsel and admonition given
through the prophets who have made plain
His eternal purpose in behalf of mankind.
In the teachings of the prophets, His love
for the lost race, and His plan for their sal-
vation, are clearly
revealed."—Prophets and
Kings,
page 22.
14.
What further counsel indicates
that there were prophetic gifts in the
Christian church? 1 Thess. 5:20.
NOTE:—"In order that one may 'quench
not the Spirit,'—the Holy Spirit, who has
moved upon and inspired the prophets of all
ages,—the apostle Paul enjoins the believers
to 'despise not prophesyings.' In order to
avoid deception by a subtle conuterfeit, he
adds the injunction: 'Prove all things; hold
fast that which is good.' "—A. G. Daniells,
The Abiding Gift of Prophecy,
page 264.
[ 18 ]
Illustration:
Many years ago a traveler in a stagecoach
was publicly criticizing the Bible. He finally
asserted that everything on prophecy in the
Book was written long after the events took
place. A minister, who had hitherto kept
silent, quietly said, "Sir, I must beg leave to
mention one remarkable prophecy as an ex-
ception: 'Knowing this
first,
that there shall
come in the last days
scoffers.'
It is one thing to know, but another and
greater is to believe. "Believe His prophets,
so shall ye prosper."
Lesson 6, for February 7, 1953
The Prophetic Gift
MEMORY VERSE:
"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, second-
arily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings,
helps, governments, diversities of tongues." 1 Cor.
12:28.
STUDY HELP:
"The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church," chapter 6.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
1.
General survey of the lesson.
2.
Questions 1-3.
3.
Questions 4,5; memorize
1
Cor. 12:28.
4.
Questions 6, 7; read study help
assignment.
5.
Questions 8-10.
6.
Questions 11-13.
7.
Review the entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I. The Author of the Gift.
1.
God bestows the gifts according to
His own will. 1 Cor. 12:11, 18, 28;
Heb. 2:4.
2.
Christ spoke through the prophets.
1 Peter 2:11 ;
Patriarchs and
Prophets,
pages 366, 367.
II. The Names of the Gift and
the Messages.
1.
Three names usually used for the
gift of prophecy are:
a.
"The gift of prophecy." 1 Cor.
13:2.
b.
"The spirit of prophecy." Rev.
19:10.
c.
"The testimony of Jesus." Rev.
19:10.
2. The names used for the messages of
the prophets are:
a.
"Prophecy" or "prophecies."
2
Chron. 9:29; 1 Cor. 13:8.
b.
"The word of God." 1 Sam. 9:27.
c.
"The Lord's message." Haggai
1:13.
d.
"Testimonies." 2 Kings 17:15
e.
"Counsel." Isa. 44:26.
f.
"Burden." Jer. 23:33.
III. The Manifestations of the Gift.
1.
Men and women were used as
prophets. 2 Peter 1:21.
2.
Among the prophetesses named are
these:
a.
Miriam. Ex. 15:20.
b.
Deborah. Judges 4:4.
c.
Hannah. 1 Samuel 1 and 2 ;
Pa-
triarchs and Prophets,
pages 571,
572.
d.
Huldah. 2 Kings 22:14.
e.
Isaiah's wife. Isa. 8:3.
f.
Anna. Luke 2:36;
The Desire of
Ages,
page
55.
g.
Elizabeth. Luke 1:41, 42.
h.
The four daughters of Philip.
Acts 21:8, 9.
IV. The Nature of the Gift.
1.
Prophets are often mediators be-
tween God and men. Gen. 20:7.
2.
Prophets are spokesmen for God.
Ex. 4:16.
3.
Prophets are instructors in the law
and ways of God. Jer. 32:33.
4.
Prophets are reprovers of sin, ex-
horters to repentance. 2 Kings
17:13.
[19
7
THE LESSON
"It was He who gave to Moses the law
engraved upon the tables of stone.
"It was Christ that spoke to His people
through the prophets. The apostle Peter,
writing to the Christian church, says that the
prophets 'prophesied of the grace that should
come unto you, searching what, or what
manner of time the
Spirit of Christ
which
was in them did signify, when it testified be-
forehand the sufferings of Christ, and the
glory that should follow.' It is the voice of
Christ that speaks to us through the Old
Testament. 'The testimony of Jesus is the
spirit of prophecy.'
"—Patriarchs and Proph-
ets,
pages 366, 367.
The Author
1.
How are the gifts of the Spirit
distributed? 1 Cor. 12:8, 11.
NoTE.—Observe the expressions, "dividing
to every man severally as He will," "to one
is given by the Spirit," et cetera. All the
children of God may enjoy the "fellowship
of the Spirit" (Phil. 2:1) ; we may experience
the "unity of the Spirit" (Eph. 4:3) ; and
may even reveal the "fruit of the Spirit"
(Eph. 5:9). But the
gifts
belong to the Lord.
We cannot determine their disposal; that is
the prerogative of God. He "divideth" to
every man according to His own plan and
purpose.
2.
How was this thought impressed
upon both leaders and people in Old
Testament days? Ps. 105:14, 15; Neh.
9:30.
NOTE.—God's prophets were called "My
prophets" (Ps. 105:15), "Thy prophets"
(Neh. 9:30), "His" prophets (Rev. 10:7).
Furthermore, the Spirit which came upon
them was "the Spirit of
Christ"
(1 Peter 1:
11), "the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Sam. 23:2),
the "Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:21). When the
prophets testified, they declared it was "Thy
Spirit" (Neh. 9:30) ; God declared it was
"My Spirit" (Isa. 59:21).
3.
Whether in Old Testament or in
New Testament days, who was it that
spoke through the holy prophets?
1 Peter 1:11.
NoTE.—Referring to the words of this
text, the
International Critical Commentary
remarks, "The words must be accepted quite
frankly. Christ was in the prophets, and
from Him came their inspiration."
"It was the Son of God that gave to our
first parents the promise of redemption. It
was He who revealed Himself to the patri-
archs. . . .
The Names
4. What are some of the names by
which the prophetic gift is mentioned
in the Scriptures of truth? Rev. 19:10;
1 Cor. 13:2.
5. By what expressions were the
messages which came through the
prophets of God known?
ANSWER: Prophecy. 2 Chron. 15:8.
Testimonies. 2 Kings 17:15.
The word of God. 1 Sam. 9:27.
The Lord's message. Haggai 1:13.
Counsel. Isa. 44:26.
The writing. 2 Chron. 35:4.
NOTE.—While the term "testimonies" is
used many times of the "tables of the testi-
mony," referring to the Ten Commandment
law, it is used on many occasions to desig-
nate the messages of the prophets. This can
be seen in Neh. 9:26, 30, 34 ; 2 Kings 17:13,
15 ; 2 Chron. 24:19. Then there is in the
New Testament the expression, "the testi-
mony of Jesus," also the interpretation of
this term, "the spirit of prophecy." Rev.
19:10.
The Manifestation
6. Through whom did the Holy
Spirit manifest the prophetic gift?
2 Peter 1:21.
[
20]
"DIVERSITIES OF GIFTS
By THE SAME SPIRIT."
NOTE.—The word
anthropos
in the Greek
is a generic term including both men and
women. It usually happened that more men
than women were called to the prophetic
office. Hence we find prophets referred to
as "son of man," or "man of God."
"It was a new thing in Israel for a woman
to speak in the name of God.... The people
felt that sagacity like hers [Deborah's] and
a spirit so sanguine and fearless must be the
gift of Jehovah; it was the inspiration of the
Almighty that gave her understanding."—
Expositor's Bible,
Judges, and Ruth, pages
95, 96.
7.
Who were some of the women
whom God called and on whom the
prophetic gift was bestowed?
ANSWER: Miriam. Exodus 15:20.
Deborah. Judges 4:4.
Huldah. 2 Kings 22:14.
Anna. Luke 2:36.
Four daughters of Philip. Acts 21:8, 9.
8.
Whose counsel was sought con-
cerning the book of the law in the
days of Josiah? 2 Kings. 22:14.
NOTE.—"This is a most singular circum-
stance: At this time
Jeremiah
was certainly
a prophet in Israel, but it is likely he now
dwelt at
Anathoth,
and could not be readily
consulted;
Zephaniah
also prophesied under
this reign, but probably he had not yet
begun; Hilkiah
was
high priest,
and the
priest's lips should retain knowledge.
Shaphan
was
scribe,
and must have been
conversant in sacred affairs to have been at
all fit for his office ; and yet
Huldah
a proph-
etess, of whom we know nothing but by this
circumstance, is consulted on the meaning of
the book of the law; for the secret of the
Lord was neither with
Hilkiah
the high
priest,
Shaphan
the scribe, nor any other of
the
servants
of the king, or
ministers
of the
temple!
We find from this, and we have
many facts in all ages to corroborate it, that
a pontiff, a pope, a bishop, or a priest, may,
in some cases, not possess the true knowledge
of God ; and that a simple
woman
possessing
the life of God in her soul, may have more
knowledge of the divine testimonies than
many of those whose office it is to explain
and enforce them."—Adam Clarke,
Com-
mentary,
on 2 Kings 22:14.
9.
What was the work of a prophet
of the Lord as indicated in the earliest
reference to a prophet in the Bible?
Gen. 20:7.
NoTE.—Reference was made to this ex-
perience in the last week's lesson, but it is
referred to again to emphasize the important
thing Abraham was called upon to do, and
that was to "intercede" for Abimelech. It is
significant that in the first reference to the
work of a prophet, we find him in the role
of a mediator or intercessor.
10.
In the second reference to a
prophet in the Holy Scriptures, what
characteristic is particularly empha-
sized? Ex. 7:1; 4:16.
NorE.—In the one text we observe that
Aaron is called a prophet. Notice the form
of the expression "Aaron . . . shall be thy
prophet" (Ex. 7:1) ; in the other text, "he
shall be thy spokesman" (Ex. 4:16). Here
the prophet is a spokesman for another, and
in this case, he is a spokesman for God.
Matthew Henry remarks: "Aaron ... was
. . . a notable spokesman: 'He shall be
thy
prophet,'
that is, 'he shall speak from thee to
Pharaoh, as prophets do from God to the
[ 21 ]
children of men.'
"—An Exposition of the
Old and New Testaments,
on Exodus 7:1.
The Nature of the Gift
11.
What other purpose did the
prophets serve? Jer. 29:19; 32:33.
NoTE.—"The name [prophet] was given
also to those who, though not so directly in-
spired, were divinely called to instruct the
people in the works and ways of God."—
Education,
page 46.
12.
What evidence is given that
part of the work of God's prophets
was to reprove sin, to urge repentance
and the keeping of the law? 2 Kings
17:13; Ezek. 14:6.
NOTE.—"Through His prophets He had
sent to His chosen people message after mes-
sage of earnest entreaty,—messages that had
been despised and rejected by the ten tribes
of the kingdom of Israel, now given over to
the enemy. But in Judah there remained a
goodly remnant, and to these the prophets
continued to appeal. Hear Isaiah urging,
`Turn ye unto Him from whom the children
of Israel have deeply revolted.' Hear Micah
declaring with confidence: 'I will look unto
the Lord; I will wait for the God of my sal-
vation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not
against me, 0 mine enemy: when I fall, I
shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord
shall be a light unto me. . . .
"These and other like messages revealing
the willingness of God to forgive and accept
those who turned to Him with full purpose
of heart, had brought hope to many a faint-
ing soul in the dark years when the temple
doors remained closed; and now, as the lead-
ers began to institute a reform, a multitude
of the people, weary of the thralldom of sin,
were ready to
respond."—Prophets and
Kings,
pages 333, 334.
"The prophets continued to protest against
these evils, and to plead for rightdoing."—
Ibid.,
p. 282.
13.
What earnest warning did the
Lord give to Israel in the days of
Jeremiah? Jer. 26:4-6.
NOTE.—"A refusal to heed the invitation
of mercy that God was now offering would
bring upon the impenitent nation the judg-
ments that had befallen the northern king-
dom of Israel over a century before. The
message to them now was: 'If ye will not
hearken to Me, to walk in My law, which I
have set before you, to hearken to the words
of My servants the prophets, whom I sent
unto you, both rising up early, and sending
them, but ye have not hearkened; then will
I make this house like Shiloh, and will make
this city a curse to all the nations of the
earth.'
"—Prophets and Kings,
page 415.
"In every age prophets had lifted up their
voices against the sins of kings, rulers, and
people, speaking the words which God gave
them, and obeying His will at the peril of
their lives. From generation to generation
there had been heaping up a terrible punish-
ment for the rejecters of light and truth.
This the enemies of Christ were now draw-
ing down upon their own heads. The sin
of the priests and rulers was greater than
that of any preceding generation. By their
rejection to the Saviour, they were making
themselves responsible for the blood of all
the righteous men slain from Abel to Christ.
They were about to fill to overflowing their
cup of iniquity."—The
Desire of Ages,
pages
618, 619.
Illustration:
In the year 1808 a grand performance of
Haydn's
Creation
was given in Vienna. The
composer, now an old man making his last
appearance, was wheeled in, and a young
royal princess took a seat beside him. As the
tremendous crescendo "And there was light !"
was reached, the audience, hitherto sup-
pressed, exploded into unusual applause. The
old man was too feeble to enter into it all,
but as they applauded and shouted for him,
he made a superhuman effort and rose. Then
he cried, "No, no ! not from
me,
but"—
pointing to heaven—"from heaven above
comes all !"
Do you accept God's gift to His church
as a heaven-sent blessing?
For Further Study:
1.
The prophet as a foreteller of divine
purposes.
Prophets and Kings,
page 464.
2.
On the work of Ellen G. White.
Testi-
monies,
vol. 4, pp. 12, 13,
232.
3.
Messages for today.
Testimonies,
vol.
4, p. 148; vol. 8, p. 298.
[ 22 ]
Lesson 7, for February 14, 1953
The Testimony of Jesus-The Spirit of Prophecy
MEMORY VERSE: "I
am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the
testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of
prophecy." Rev. 19:10.
STUDY HELP:
"The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church," chapter 7.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
1.
General survey of the lesson.

4. Questions 5, 6;. read, study help
2.
Questions 1, 2; memorize

assignment.
Rev. 19:10.

5. Questions 7, 8.
3.
Questions 3,
4.

6. Questions 9-11.
7. Review the entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
1.
The Testimony of Jesus.
1.
A characteristic of the remnant
church. Rev. 12:7.
2.
This term means "the spirit of
prophecy." Rev. 19:10.
3.
"Testimony" is used as follows:
a.
Of the Decalogue. Ex. 31 : 18.
b.
Of the laws of Moses. 2 Kings
23:3.
c.
Of a man's legal word. Deut. 19:
16, 18.
d.
Of the messages of the prophets.
2 Kings 17:5.
e.
Of Christ's revelations to His
people. 1 Cor. 1:6; 2 Tim. 1:8.
II. The Spirit of Prophecy-
1.
Is the Spirit which indites the proph-
ecy. Rev. 19:10.
2.
Is a safeguard to the church. Isa.
8:20;
Testimonies,
vol. 8, p. 298.
Key Phrases:
1: "The testimony of Jesus."
a.
Found twice in Authorized Ver-
sion, both in Rev. 19:10.
b.
Found three times in form of
"testimony of Jesus Christ."
Rev. 1:2, 9; 12:17.
c.
Also found once as "witness of
Jesus." Rev. 20:4.
d.
Similar expressions, "testimony of
Christ" (1 Cor. 1:6), and "testi-
mony of our Lord" (2 Tim.
1:8).
2. "The spirit of prophecy."
a.
Found once only in Bible. Rev.
19:10.
b.
It is the Spirit inditing the proph-
ecy, as distinct from the gift
bestowed, but they are insepar-
ably connected.
c.
The term is well known in Jewish
and Christian writings.
3. "Worship God."
a.
No man is to be worshiped, not
even a prophet, but God alone.
Rev. 19:10, first part; Ex. 20:3.
Key Thoughts:
1.
"Worship God." We are to worship
neither the gift nor the recipient, but God
the Giver. Compare Matthew 4:10 "Thou
shalt worship the Lord thy God." We thank
God for the gifts and for the messengers,
but we worship only Him.
2.
"The testimony of Jesus." This is the
voice of Jesus speaking through the prophets
both before and after the cross. The apostle
Peter speaks of "the spirit of Christ which
was in them" in relation to the Old Testa-
ment prophets, and His Spirit spoke through
and beyond New Testament days.
[ 23 ]
THE LESSON
NoTE.—"The voice of God was heard by
the prophets whom He had appointed to a
special work and to bear a special message.
He sent them to repeat the same words over
and over again. He had a message prepared
for them that was not after the ways and
will of men, and this He put in their mouths
and had them proclaim. He assured them
the Holy Spirit would give them language
and
utterance."—Testimonies to Ministers,
page 405.
The Spirit of Prophecy
6. What expressions in the word
of God apply to the prophetic gift?
The Testimony of Jesus
1.
What is mentioned as one of
the vital characteristics of the rem-
nant church? Rev. 12:17; 14:12.
NoTE.—Observe that in addition to "the
patience of the saints," "the commandments
of God," "the faith of Jesus," there is also
"the testimony of Jesus Christ."
2.
What attitude of Job and of
Paul is fitting for God's people today?
Job 23:5; Eph. 5:17.
NoTE.—"As the end draws near and the
work of giving the last warning to the world
extends, it becomes more important for those
who accept present truth to have a clear un-
derstanding of the nature and influence of
the
Testimonies,
which God in His provi-
dence has linked with the work of the third
angel's message from its very
rise."—Testi-
monies, vol. 5,
p. 654.
3.
What other terms similar in
form to "the testimony of Jesus" are
used in the Sacred Writings?
ANSWER:
"Testimony of Christ." 1 Cor.
1:6.
"Testimony of our Lord." 2 Tim. 1:8.
"Witness of Jesus." Rev. 20:4.
"Testimony of Jesus Christ." Rev.
1:2.
4.
What are some of the ways the
word
testimony
is used in the Bible?
ANSWER:
God "testified" against His peo-
ple. 2 Kings 17:13 ; Jer. 42:19 (margin) ;
Neh. 9:26, 30.
God "testified" through His prophets. 2
Chron. 24:19; 2 Kings 17:13.
God "testified" by His
testimonies to the
church.
2 Kings 17:15; Neh. 9:34.
5.
How is the testimony of Jesus
given to the church, and what is its
purpose? Rev. 1:1, 2.
ANSWER:
The
"word
of prophecy." 2
Peter 1:19.
The
gift
of prophecy. 1 Cor. 13:2 ; Eph.
4:8,11.
"The
spirit
of prophecy." Rev. 19:10.
These three expressions are closely related.
One might consider the
gift
to be the quality
or grace bestowed; the
spirit
to be the divine
force which actuates the prophet; the
word,
the message from God through the prophet
to the church.
The fruit of the Spirit is available to all
the children of God, but the gifts are be-
stowed by God upon whomsoever He
chooses. We are privileged to have the fruit;
we may be chosen for the gift. "All power
is given into His hands, that He may dis-
pense rich gifts unto
men."—Testimonies to
Ministers,
page 92.
7. Even though used but once in
the Bible, is there evidence that the
term "spirit of prophecy" might have
been known or been in current use
in New Testament days?
ANSWER:
The Jewish Encyclopedia
uses
it: "The visible results of the activity of the
Holy Spirit, according to the Jewish concep-
tion, are the books of the Bible, all of which
have been composed under its inspiration.
All the prophets spoke 'in the Holy Spirit;'
and the most characteristic sign of the pres-
ence of the Holy Spirit is the gift of proph-
ecy, in the sense that the person upon whom
it rests beholds the past and the future .

.
The Holy Spirit is at times identified with
[ 24 ]
" WE HA E NOTHING TO FEAR
FOR THE FUTURE, EXCEPT AS
WE
SHALL FORGET THE
WAY
THE
LORD
HAS LED
us:'
the spirit of prophecy."—Vol. 6, p. 449.
Matthew Henry's
commentary uses it con-
cerning:
Deborah, vol. 2, p. 140; Huldah, vol. 3,
p. 116; Agabus, vol. 8, p. 667; Elisabeth,
vol. 7, p. 587; Simeon, vol. 7, p. 603 ; and
Anna, vol. 7, p. 605 (Robert Carter & Broth-
ers edition).
8.
What expression in the Apoca-
lypse shows unmistakingly the mean-
ing of the term "testimony of Jesus"?
Rev. 19:10.
NOTE.—What we have in this verse is a
divine interpretation. If we ask John what
he means by the expression, without shadow
of doubt he replies, "The testimony of Jesus
is the spirit of prophecy." This interpreta-
tion is confirmed by comparing this verse
with Rev. 22:9. Compare such phrases as:
Rev. 19:10
"See thou do it not."
"Worship God."
"I am thy fellow servant."
"Thy brethren that have the testimony of
Jesus."
Rev. 22:9
"See thou do it not."
"Worship God."
"I am thy fellow servant."
"Thy brethren the prophets."
Hence it must be clear to all that it is
God's servants the prophets that have "the
testimony of Jesus." In the light of this it
is not difficult to understand why it is called
"the spirit of prophecy."
A Safeguard to the Church
9.
To what are we commended as
a safeguard against deception? Isa.
8:20.
NorE.—"God has spoken to us through
His word. He has spoken to us through the
testimonies to the church." "We must follow
the directions given through the spirit of
prophecy."—Testimonies,
vol. 8, p. 298.
10.
By what means did God guide
and preserve ancient Israel? Hosea
12:13.
NOTE.—"God desired to make of His peo-
ple Israel a praise and a glory. . . . Their
obedience to the law of God would make
them marvels of prosperity before the na-
tions of the world. . . . In the most definite
manner Christ through Moses had set before
them God's purpose, and had made plain the
terms of their prosperity."—Christ's
Object
Lessons,
page 288.
11.
What admonition and promise
given to Israel is good counsel for the
church today? 2 Chron. 20:20.
NOTE.—"We have nothing to fear for the
future, except as we shall forget the way the
Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past
history."—Life
Sketches,
page 196.
Illustration:
Henry Ward Beecher used to tell the story
of how, in the early days of railroads, a pre-
caution against accidents was taken. As a
train was about to start, the brakeman on
the last car would shout, "All right here !"
The next brakeman would hear him and
shout, "All right here !" So the call went
along till it reached the conductor, who then
knew all was ready to go.
When the church through the ages has
heard the messages of God's servants; all
has been well. Can you say today, "All right
here !" ?
[ 25
Lesson 8, for February 21, 1953
The Relationship of the Spirit of Prophecy to the Bible
MEMORY VERSE:
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according
to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20.
STUDY HELP:
"The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church," chapter 8.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
1.
General survey of the lesson.
2.
Questions 1, 2; memorize Isa. 8:20.
3.
Questions 3-5.
4.
Questions 6, 7; read study help
assignment.
5.
Questions 8, 9.
6.
Questions 10, 11.
7.
Review the entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I.
The Word of God.
1.
Its supreme authority.
a.
The testimony of the Scriptures.
b.
The testimony of the Reforma-
tion.
c.
The testimony of the spirit of
prophecy.
d.
The testimony of the church.
2. Its successive revelations.
a.
The pentateuch.
b.
The prophets.
c.
The writings.
d.
The New Testament.
II. The Testimony of Jesus.
1.
It exalts the Bible.
2.
It points to the Bible.
3.
It amplifies the Bible.
4.
It simplifies the Bible.
Key Thoughts:
1.
The Bible is inspired in its teaching, ex-
pressed in the language of godly men. The
hundreds of copies of originals accepted by
the Christian church contain inspired doc-
trine and counsel, preserved by God's provi-
dence.
2.
God's word is supreme, unique, con-
taining God's complete message of salvation
for all men.
3.
The messages of the spirit of prophecy
never replace, change, or modify the mes-
sages of Scripture. They expound, magnify,
and beautify all that the word has taught.
They lighten the pathway of the remnant
church.
THE LESSON
Nom.—The German princes at the Diet
of Spires declared, " 'There is no sure doc-
trine but such as is conformable to the word
of God.... The Lord forbids the teaching of
any other doctrine. .. . The Holy Scriptures
ought to be explained by other and clearer
texts; . . . this Holy Book is, in all things
necessary for the Christian, easy of under-
standing, and calculated to scatter the dark-
ness.'
"—The Great Controversy,
page 203.
The Word of God
1. What testimony is borne regard-
ing the word of God as being the
standard of doctrine and conduct?
2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Isa. 8:20; Acts 17:11;
Matt. 4:4, 7, 10.
2. How have Christian people dem-
onstrated their loyalty to the prin-
ciples of the word of God? Rev. 12:11.
3. What testimony has been borne
by the pioneers of the Seventh-day
[ 261
Adventist Church concerning the
word of God and the gift of proph-
ecy?
ANSWER:
This was well expressed by
James White, one of the early pioneers of
the advent cause.
"Every Christian is therefore in duty
bound to take the Bible as a perfect rule of
faith and duty. He should pray fervently to
be aided by the Holy Spirit in searching the
Scriptures for the whole truth, and for his
whole duty. He is not at liberty to turn from
them to learn his duty through any of the
gifts. We say that the very moment he does,
he places the gifts in a wrong place, and
takes an extremely dangerous position. The
word should be in front, and the eye of the
church should be placed upon it, as the rule
to walk by, and the fountain of wisdom,
from which to learn duty in 'all good works.'
But if a portion of the church err from the
truths of the Bible, and become weak, and
sickly, and the flock become scattered, so
that it seems necessary for God to employ
the gifts of the Spirit to correct, revive, and
heal the erring, we should let Him work."
—Review and Herald,
April 21, 1851.
Its Successive Revelations
4.
Into what recognized parts might
we regard the Holy Scriptures as
being divided? Luke 24:44; John 20:
30, 31.
NOTE.—These
recognized parts of the
Holy Scriptures are "the law of Moses" (the
Pentateuch) ; "the prophets;" and "the
psalms" (holy writings) ; and the New
Testament. Together they constitute the
Holy Scriptures we have today.
5.
What Scriptural evidence shows
that these parts of the oracles of God
are intimately and harmoniously re-
lated? Luke 24:27, 32, 44, 45.
NoTE.—Jesus considered the three sections
of the Old Testament as a united whole. The
New Testament books are also considered
"Scriptures." See 2 Peter 3:16. Observe the
emphasis on the word
other
in this text.
We might consider each succeeding reve-
lation as amplifying or enlarging the one
which preceded it; for instance, the prophets
called attention to the law of Moses and con-
siderably amplified the message of Moses.
The New Testament does the same for the
entire Old Testament.
The Testimony of Jesus
6.
Who were some of the prophets
whose writings were not included in
the Old Testament Scriptures?
ANSWER:
Nathan the prophet. 2 Chron.
9:29.
Gad the seer. 1 Chron. 29:29.
Iddo the prophet. 2 Chron. 13:22.
Jehu the prophet. 2 Chron. 20:34.
If God had divinely appointed prophets
who gave messages to. His people in olden
days, whose messages were not in any way
a part of the Holy Scriptures, might not God
have such a prophet today?
7.
What is the attitude of Mrs.
White's writings to the Bible?
ANSWER:
Exalt the Holy Scriptures.
"The
Testimonies
are not to belittle the
word of God, but to exalt it and attract
minds to it, that the beautiful simplicity of
truth may impress
all."—Testimonies, vol.
2,
p. 606.
[
27 ]
8.
How do the writings of Ellen G.
White stress the inspiration of the
Bible?
ANSWER:
"I recommend to you, dear
reader, the word of God as the rule of your
faith and practice. By that word we are to
be judged. God has, in that word, promised
to give visions in the
'LAST DAYS;'
not for a
new rule of faith, but for the comfort of His
people, and to correct those who err from
Bible truth."—Early
Writings,
page 78.
(Written in 1851.)
NOTE.—"The
Testimonies
of His Spirit
call your attention to the Scriptures."—
Testimonies, vol.
5, p. 674.
"The written testimonies are not to give
new light, but to impress vividly upon the
heart the truths of inspiration already re-
vealed."—Ibid., p. 665.
"The word of God abounds in general
principles for the formation of correct habits
of living, and the testimonies, general and
personal, have been calculated to call their
attention more especially to these principles."
—Ibid.,
vol. 4, p. 323.
9.
What can be named as another
important point in this relationship?
ANSWER:
They amplify the Scriptures.
NoTE.—Just as the writings of the proph-
ets amplified and enlarged the truth taught
by Moses; just as the New Testament opens
up and enriches the teaching of the Old
Testament, so the messages through the spirit
of prophecy beautify, enlarge, and enrich
our understanding of the divine oracles.
Mrs. S. M. I. Henry forcefully expressed
this in the following lines:
"The manifestation of the power of the
Spirit of God was as clear as sunlight; and in
that light I saw the Testimony, as simply a
lens
through which to look at the truth. It
at once grew from a lens to a telescope,—a
perfect, beautiful telescope, subject to all the
telescopic conditions and limitations,—direc-
ted toward the field of the heavens,—that
field,
the Bible.
Clouds may intervene be-
tween it and a heaven full of stars,—clouds
of unbelief, of contention; Satan may blow
tempests all about it; it may be blurred by
the breath of our own selfishness; the dust of
superstition may gather upon it; we may
meddle with it, and turn it aside from the
field; it may be pointed away toward empty
space ; it may be turned end for end, so that
everything is so diminished that we can rec-
ognize nothing. We may change the focus
so that everything is distorted out of all har-
monious proportions, and made hideous; it
may be so shortened that nothing but a great
piece of opaque glass shall appear to our
gaze. If the
lens
is mistaken for the
field,
we
can receive but a very narrow conception of
the most magnificent spectacle with which
the heavens ever invited our gaze; but in its
proper office as a medium of enlarged and
clearer vision,—as a
telescope,—the
Testi-
mony has a wonderfully beautiful and holy
office.
"Everything depends upon our relation to
it and the use which we make of it. In itself
it is only a glass through which to look, but
in the hand of the divine Director, properly
mounted, set at a right angle, and adjusted
to the eye of the observer, with a field clear
of clouds, it will reveal
truth
such as will
quicken the blood, gladden the heart, and
open a wide door of expectation."—Gospel
of Health,
January, 1898, vol. 2, No. 1, pp.
27, 28.
10.
What can be regarded as still
another vital phase of this relation-
ship?
ANSWER:
The Testimonies simplify the
word of God.
NoTE.—"Additional truth is not brought
out; but God has through the
Testimonies
simplified the great truths already given and
in His own chosen way brought them before
the people to awaken and impress the mind
with them, that all may be left without ex-
cuse."—Testimonies, vol.
2, p. 605.
11.
How might this relationship be
further expressed?
ANSWER:
Mrs. White very beautifully
stated her work in thd following words:
"Little heed is given to the Bible, and the
Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and
women to the greater
light."—Colporteur
Evangelist,
page 37.
NoTE.—An important thing to remember
[
28]
is that first of all we are to prove the pro-
phetic gift. Then having settled in our hearts
that it is of God, it in turn helps us better
to understand the divine word. It is effec-
tual in "the perfecting of the saints" and
"the edifying of the body of Christ."
Illustration:
"Harmony makes small things grow; lack
of it makes great things decay." The har-
mony between the Bible and the spirit of
prophecy through Mrs. White have been the
means of blessing and upbuilding this cause.
Lesson 9, for February 28, 1953
The Church's Relation to the Prophets
MEMORY VERSE:
"Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all
things; hold fast that which is good." I Thess. 5:19-21.
STUDY HELP:
"The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church," chapter
9.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
1.
General survey of the lesson.
2.
Questions 1-3; memorize
1
Thess. 5:19-21.
3.
Questions 4-6.
4.
Questions 7, 8; read study help
assignment.
5.
Questions 9-11.
6.
Questions 12-14.
7.
Review the entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
I.
The Tests of the Gift.
1.
False prophets necessitate careful in-
vestigation.
1
John 4:1.
2.
Miracles no proof of genuineness.
Luke 7:28; John
10:41.
3.
God, Christ, and the law of God are
exalted by the true prophet. Deut.
13:1-4; 1
John 4:2, 3; Isa. 8:20.
4.
God's prophets warn of danger. Acts
11:27-30.
II.
The Purpose of the Gift.
1.
To direct, unify, and edify the
church. John 14:26; Eph. 4:12, 13.
2.
To inspire the church to do God's
work. Acts 10:9, 10; 16:9.
THE LESSON
Tests of the Gift

2. What should be our attitude
to the church in the last days? Matt.
7:15; 24:11.
1. What warning has been given sent from God? Jer. 7:25; 2 Chron.
toward the counsels of the prophet
20:20; Eph. 3:5.
Num.-This warning given by the Sav-
iour is applicable to His church until the end.
The warning is not against "prophets," but
against "false prophets." This would cer-
tainly indicate that there would be "true
prophets" also.
3. What will be one vital feature
in the teachings of the messengers of
the Lord? Prov. 29:18; Dan. 9:10, 11;
Rev. 12:17.
[ 29 ]
NoTE.—"Now, as then, ... He sounds the
note of warning, and reproves sin just as
faithfully as in the days of Jeremiah."—
Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 165.
To His remnant people God "has revealed
His will, and of them He requires
obedi-
ence."—Testimonies,
vol. 6, p. 10.
General Tests
4.
In harmony with the counsel of
God, what attitude should the church
take toward those professing to have
the gift of prophecy? 1 Thess. 5:19-
21; 1 John 4:1.
Nom.—"We are to try the spirits by the
tests which God has given us in His word."
—Early Writings,
pages 141, 142.
5.
What indication is given in the
Scriptures that the working of mir-
acles is not in itself a sign of the true
prophetic gift? Deut. 13:1-3; Matt.
24:24; Rev. 13:13, 14.
6.
What example is given that
proves a true prophet does not neces-
sarily perform miracles? Luke 7:28;
John 10:41.
Physical Tests
7.
What are some of the physical
characteristics of God's prophets when
in vision, as recorded in the Scrip-
tures?
ANSWER:
Lose all natural strength. Dan.
10:8.
Receive supernatural strength. Dan 10:
18.
Eyes are open in vision. Num. 24:16.
Do not breathe. Dan. 10:17.
God controls the tongue. 2 Sam. 23:2.
Unconscious of surroundings. 2 Cor.
12:2-4.
8.
What physical manifestations in
the experience of Ellen G. White
when in vision correspond to those
recorded in the Bible?
ANSWER:
"The physical manifestations in
many of her visions correspond to the ex-
perience of the prophets of old. We refer to
the physical manifestations under which
many of these visions were given, similar to
the experience of Daniel and other prophets
of the Old Testament.
"We do not, however, regard these physi-
cal manifestations as the principal convinc-
ing evidences of the divine call to Mrs. White.
Rather, they constitute subsidiary or con-
tributing evidences."—F. M. Wilcox, in
Re-
view and Herald,
Jan. 19, 1950.
Spiritual Tests
9.
Enumerate some of the charac-
teristics of a true prophet.
ANSWER:
Exalts the true God. Deut.
13:
1-4.
Confesses Christ came "in the flesh."
1 John 4:2, 3.
Teaches in harmony with the law of
God. Isa. 8:20.
Known by their fruits. Matt. 7:15-20.
Warns of dangers. Acts 11:27-30.
At times writes testimonies before time
comes for delivery. 2 Chron. 21:12,
margin.
[30
]
NOTE.—"The great proof of her [Ellen G.
White's] call to divine ministry was shown
in the answer of her work to prophetic pre-
diction; in the spirit which characterized her
ministry throughout the years; in the cor-
respondence of her teachings to those of the
Bible; in the marked manner in which she
was used of God to save His church in many
crises; and by the fruit her ministry bore
through all the years of her earthly life and
which is still appearing as a result of her
labors."—F. M. Wilcox, in
Review and
Herald,
Jan. 19, 1950.
The Purpose
10.
What might be considered as
important features in the work of the
Holy Spirit in the church?
ANSWER: To teach. John 14:26, first part.
To guide. John 16:13, first part.
To testify. John 15:26.
To remind. John 14:26, last part.
To reprove or convict. John 16:8.
To reveal. John 16:13.
11.
What are the gifts to accom-
plish for the church of Christ?
ANSWER: To perfect the saints. Eph. 4:
12, first part.
To preserve against false doctrine. Eph.
4:14.
To preserve the unity of the faith. Eph.
4:12, 13.
To ensure prosperity. 2 Chron. 20:20.
12.
What ,outstanding examples
may be cited of how God used the
prophets to bring messages of counsel
and warning to individuals? 2 Sam.
12:1-7; Acts 21:10, 11.
13.
What were some experiences
where the spirit of prophecy gave di-
rection concerning the course of ac-
tion to be followed?
ANSWER: In the choice of Saul. Acts 9:10.
In carrying the gospel to the Gentiles.
Acts 10:19, 20.
In opening work in specific areas. Acts
16:9.
14.
In the light of these considera-
tions, to what counsel should we take
heed? 1 Thess. 5:19-21.
Illustration:
A great American preacher used
a
simple
illustration of God's guidance of His church.
A child is in a boat with his father, and
wants to do the rowing. The father knows
that the child's knowledge of the coast and
currents and the art of rowing are inade-
quate. Yet he wants his child to row. He
gives the boy the oars and himself takes the
rudder. The boy's rowing is uneven, for he
has not learned to hold in his stronger right
arm and to exert fully his left. So the boat
tends to be pulled around. But the strong
hand of the father is on the rudder, and he
keeps to the right course by rectifying the
mistakes of his offspring.
Do you see how, through the ages, the true
prophets of God have guided the church
through her mistakes and wanderings to the
haven of safety?
For Further Reading:
1.
On the inspiration of a true prophet, S.
N. Haskell, quoted in
Divine Predictions
Fulfilled,
by F. C. Gilbert, page 29.
2.
On Mrs. White's visions,
The Prophetic
Gift, by J.
N. Loughborough, pages 40-43.
THIRTEENTH
SABBATH OFFERING
March 28, 1953—Far Eastern Division
[ 31 ]
Lesson 10,
for March 7, 1953
The Nature of the Church of Christ
MEMORY VERSE: "Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; . . .
that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or
wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
Eph. 5:25-27.
STUDY HELP: "The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church," chapter 10.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
1.
General survey of the lesson.

5. Questions 9, 10; read study help
2.
Questions 1, 2; memorize Eph.

assignment.
5:25-27.

6. Questions 11-13.
3.
Questions 3-5.

7. Review the entire lesson.
4.
Questions 6-8.
The Definition
1. As the children of God, with
what is it our privilege to be con-
nected? 1 Cor. 12:13;
Acts 2:47.
Lesson Outline:
I.
The
Definition of the Church.
1.
Believers who have heard God's call.
2.
Local and general groups. 1 Cor.
1:2;
Eph. 5:25.
II. The Scope of the Church.
1.
Multitudes of the human family on
earth in all ages.
2.
Myriads of angels in heaven. Heb.
12:22;
Testimonies, vol. 7,
p. 31.
Ill. The Foundation of the Church.
1.
Christ is the foundation. 1 Cor. 3:
11;
Thoughts From the Mount of
Blessing,
page 216.
2.
The apostles and prophets shared in
the building. Eph. 2:20.
The Symbols of the Church.
1.
An army with armor and a captain.
2 Tim. 2:3, 4 ; Heb. 2:10.
2.
A flock with a shepherd. Luke 12:
32 ; Ps. 23:1.
3.
A temple of living stones. Eph. 2:21,
22; 1 Peter 2:5.
4.
A vine. Isaiah 4:7.
5.
The body of Christ. Rom. 12:4, 5.
The Order and Unity of the Church.
1.
An orderly, harmonious organiza-
tion. 1 Cor. 14:40;
Testimonies to
Ministers,
page 26;
The Desire of
Ages,
page 680.
The Hope of the Church.
1. The blessed hope of Christ's return.
Titus 2:11-13.
THE LESSON
19:39, 41. To us, however, with its associ-
ated words, it means "the church of God"
(Acts 20:28), "the churches of Christ"
(Rom. 16:16), "the church of the living
God." (1 Tim. 3:15).
NoTE.-a. We are added
to
and are bap-
tized
into
the church; hence each member
becomes an integral part of the mystical
body of Christ.
b.
The Greek word
ekklesia,
rendered
"church," means "called out." This word
applies to any kind of assembly. See Acts
2. In what two
senses can the word
church
be understood? Matt. 16:18;
1 Cor. 1:2.
NOTE.-The word church is used in a
local
as well as a
general
sense. In Matthew 16:
[ 32 ]
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EVERY AAENISCR EXPECTED
TO DO H15
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4
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
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
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` "LIKE A MIGHTY ARMY"
wind
18; 18:17 reference is made to the church at
large, irrespective of location; it means the
church in all the world. In 1 Corinthians
1:2 and many other like scriptures, it refers
to a specific local church, such as the one in
Corinth, or in Paris, or in Washington. Fur-
ther, it might mean a small as well as a
large group of believers. Note the expres-
sion, "the church that is in their house." 1
Cor. 16:19.
The Scope
3.
What use of the term "church"
in the Scriptures shows that it is not
limited in application to the Christian
dispensation? Acts 7:38; Heb. 12:22,
23.
NOTE.—"The church of God below is one
with the church of God above. Believers
on the earth and the beings in heaven . . .
constitute one church. Every heavenly in-
telligence is interested in the assemblies of
the saints who on earth meet to worship
God. In the inner court of heaven they listen
to the testimony of the witnesses for Christ
in the outer court on
earth."—Testimonies,
vol. 6, p. 366.
The Foundation
4.
Who is the foundation of the
church of God? 1 Cor. 3:11; 10:4.
NorE.—God is spoken of as the Rock
many times in the Old Testament. "He is
the Rock," Deut. 32:4. He is "the Rock of
Ages," Isa. 26:4, margin. Referring to the
"angel of the Lord," the Father said, "My
name is in Him" (Ex. 23:20, 21) ; so the
Rock of the Old Testament is the Christ of
the New Testament, "and that Rock was
Christ."
"Christ, the word, the revelation of God,
—the manifestation of His character, His
law, His love, His life,—is the only founda-
tion upon which we can build a character
that will
endure."—Thoughts From the
Mount of Blessing,
pages 213, 214.
5.
How are we to understand the
Saviour's expression, "upon this Rock
I will build My church"? Matt. 16:18.
NOTE.—"Human
power and human might
did not establish the church of God, and
neither can they destroy it. Not on the rock
of human strength, but on Christ Jesus, the
Rock of Ages, was the church founded, 'and
the gates of hell shall not prevail against
it.'
"—Prophets and Kings,
pages 595, 596.
"Jesus continued: 'I say also unto thee,
That thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I
will build My church ; and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it.' The word Peter
signifies a stone, a rolling stone. Peter was
not the rock upon which the church was
founded."—The
Desire of Ages,
pages 412,
413.
6.
Who were associated with Christ
in the building up of His church on
earth? Eph. 2:20; Rev. 21:14.
NOTE.—"Christ
is represented as dwelling
in His people. Believers are represented as
`built upon the foundation of the apostles
and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the
Chief Cornerstone.'
"—Testimonies, vol. 5,
pp. 291, 292 (1948 ed., p. 291).
The Symbols
7.
In connection with the figure of
the temple, how are Christ and His
people represented in its construc-
tion? 1 Peter 2:4-6.
[ 33 ]
NOTE.—"Christ crucified is the foundation
laid by apostles and prophets in their preach-
ing; Christ glorified is the crowning com-
pletion of the whole structure. We begin
with Christ; we end in Christ. The temple
starts with Christ, and as it rises tier by tier
it is growing up to Christ. Christ, the Head
of the body and the Chief Cornerstone of
the church, is both the supreme authority
and the perfect glory of His people."—The
Pulpit Commentary,
on Epistle to the Ephe-
sians, page 103.
8.
By what other symbols has the
Lord illustrated the work of His
church? 2 Tim. 2:3, 4; Heb. 2:10;
John 10:14.
NOTE.—"The church of Christ may be
fitly compared to an
army."—Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 394.
"Clad in the armor of Christ's righteous-
ness, the church is to enter upon her final
conflict."—Prophets and Kings,
page 725.
"As an earthly shepherd knows his sheep,
so does the divine Shepherd know His flock
that are scattered throughout the world.
`Ye My flock, the flock of My pasture, are
men, and I am your God, saith the Lord
God.'
"—Gospel Workers,
page 181.
The Order
9.
How has the Lord indicated that
proper arrangements should charac-
terize His church on earth? 1 Cor.
14:40.
Nora.—"Order is the law of heaven, and
it should be the law of God's people on the
earth."—Testimonies to Ministers,
page 26.
"Christ designs that heaven's order,
heaven's plan of government, heaven's di-
vine harmony, shall be represented in His
church on earth."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
680.
10.
What are some of the illustra-
tions given in the Scriptures concern-
ing order in the church?
ANSWER: In the plan for leaders of dif-
ferent rank. Ex. 18:21; Eph. 4:11.
In the plan for the encampment of
Israel. Num. 10:1-6.
In the organization of the early church.
1 Cor. 12:28.
In the ordaining of ministers and offi-
cers. Titus 1:5; Acts 13:1.
The Unity
11.
What is that divine principle
which binds the members of the
church together in true fellowship?
Rom. 5:5; Gal. 5:13; Heb. 13:1.
12.
What is God's ultimate pur-
pose for His church? Eph. 4:3-5,
12, 13.
The Hope
13.
What is the blessed hope of the
church of God? Titus 2:11-13.
NOTE.—"One of the most solemn and yet
most glorious truths revealed in the Bible is
that of Christ's second coming, to complete
the great work of redemption. To God's
pilgrim people, so long left to sojourn in
`the region and shadow of death,' a precious,
joy-inspiring hope is given in the promise of
His appearing, who is 'the resurrection and
the life,' to 'bring home again His banished.'
The doctrine of the second advent is the
very keynote of the Sacred Scriptures."—
The Great Controversy,
page 299.
"The coming of the Lord has been in all
ages the hope of His true followers. The
Saviour's parting promise upon Olivet, that
He would come again, lighted up the future
for His disciples, filling their hearts with joy
and hope that sorrow could not quench nor
trials dim. Amid suffering and persecution,
`the appearing of the great God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ' was the 'blessed
hope.'
"—Ibid.,
p. 302.
Illustration:
Samuel Smiles wrote the phrase which has
been used in many a home and office, "A
[ 34
place for everything, and everything in its
place."
It has a great meaning for the church, ap-
plying to its physical arrangements, and par-
ticularly to its membership.
"Order governs the world. The devil is the
author of confusion," said Dean Swift.
Are you in your place in the Advent
Movement, keeping rank, marching for-
ward for God?
For Further Reading:
1.
God's regard for His church.
Christ's
Object Lessons,
pages 165, 298 (1923 ed., pp.
168, 301) ;
Prophets and Kings,
page 590;
Testimonies,
vol. 6, p. 42.
2.
The church throughout the ages.
The
Acts of the Apostles,
page 12.
3.
The church on earth and in heaven.
Testimonies,
vol. 6, p. 366; vol. 7, p. 31.
4.
The final exaltation of the church.
The
Desire of Ages,
page 26.
Lesson 11, for March 14, 1953
The Organization of the Church of Christ
MEMORY VERSE:
"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether
we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free." 1 Cor. 12:13.
STUDY HELP:
"The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church," chapter
11.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
1.
General survey of the lesson.
5.
Questions 9,
10;
read study help
2.
Questions 1-3.
assignment.
3.
Questions 4-6.
6.
Questions 11, 12.
4.
Questions 7, 8; memorize
7.
Review the entire lesson.
1 Cor. 12:13.
The Leadership
1. Under what type of leadership
does the church of Christ succeed in
its mission? Ex. 18:21, first part; Acts
6:3; 1 Tim. 3:1-4, 6, 7.
Lesson Outline:
I. Its Consecrated Leadership.
1.
Able, God-fearing, blameless men
of
truth. Ex. 18:21 ; 1 Tim. 3:1-4.
2.
Unswervingly loyal to principle.
Education,
page 57.
II. Its Related Organizations.
1.
The local churches. See 1 Peter 5:
13; Rev. 3:7, et cetera.
2.
The provincial churches. Titus 1:5;
The Acts of the Apostles,
pages
91, 92.
Its Distributed Responsibilities and
Activities.
1.
Deacons to attend to business of
church. Acts 6:1-6.
2.
Letters and visiting brethren to keep
churches together. Acts 15:23-25 ;
2 Cor. 8:18, 19.
IV.
Its Unified Action.
1.
Co-operation in Israel and in church
of Christ. Neh. 3:1, 2 ; 2 Cor. 6:1.
2.
Sympathetic relations. Rom. 12:10.
V. Its Bond of Love.
1.
The love of God for the individual
is primary and basic. Eph. 2:4.
2.
Christ's love for the church is su-
preme. Eph. 5:25.
THE LESSON
NOTE.-"The greatest want of the world
is the want of men,-men who will not be
bought or sold; men who in their inmost
souls are true and honest; men who do not
fear to call sin by its right name; men whose
conscience is as true to duty as the needle
[ 35 ]
to the pole; men who will stand for the
right though the heavens
fall."—Education,
page 57.
2.
What was the first step taken by
Jesus in the organization of the early
church? Mark 3:13, 14.
NOTE.—"It was at the ordination of the
Twelve that the first step was taken in the
organization of the church that after Christ's
departure was to carry on His work on the
earth.

.
"Look upon the touching scene. Behold
the Majesty of heaven surrounded by the
Twelve whom He has chosen. He is about
to set them apart for their work. By these
feeble agencies, through His word and Spirit,
He designs to place salvation within the
reach of all.
"With gladness and rejoicing, God and the
angels beheld this scene. The Father knew
that from these men the light of heaven
would shine forth; that the words spoken
by them as they witnessed for His son,
would echo from generation to generation
till the close of time."—The
Acts of the
Apostles,
pages 18, 19.
3.
How did the church appoint
leaders to carry responsibility? Acts
14:23; 1 Tim. 3:8.
NoTE.—"Officers were appointed in each
church, and proper order and system was
established for the conduct of all the affairs
pertaining to the spiritual welfare of the be-
lievers."—I bid., p. 185.
Without organization no institution or
organization can prosper. A nation without
organized government would soon be in
chaos. A business enterprise without organ-
ization would fail. So it would be with the
church. Without organization it would dis-
integrate.
The Subsidiary Organizations
4.
As the church extended its con-
quests, what developments became
necessary in its organization? Ex. 18:
21, last part; Acts 15:23, 41.
NOTE.—In apostolic times the church was
organized into groups known as the tens, the
fifties, the hundreds, and the thousands, even
as Israel had been in the days of Moses.
As the work grew, it became necessary to
have not only local churches, but groups of
local churches. Note the expressions: "the
churches of Judea," Gal. 1:22 ; "the churches
of Macedonia," 2 Cor. 8:1; "the saints which
are in all Achaia," 2 Cor.
"The Lord in His wisdom has arranged
that by means of the close relationship that
should be maintained by all believers, Chris-
tian shall be united to Christian, and church
to church. Thus the human instrumentality
will be enabled to co-operate with the divine.
Every agency will be subordinate to the
Holy Spirit, and all the believers will be
united in an organized and well-directed ef-
fort to give to the world the glad tidings
of the grace of
God."—The Acts of the
Apostles,
page 164.
5.
What evidences do we have of
the distribution of church responsi-
bilities in the early days? Acts 6:1-3;
Gal. 2:7.
6.
How have the principles of both
Old and New Testament organization
been exemplified in the advent move-
ment?
ANSWER: In Israel there were organiza-
tions of tens, each with its leader; of fifties
with their leaders; of hundreds, each with its
own director; then of the thousands over
which were rulers or princes. These were re-
sponsible, the smaller to the larger, the lead-
ers of tens to the leaders of fifties, the leaders
of fifties to the leaders of hundreds, the hun-
dreds to thousands, and the thousands to the
leaders of the general body. Might we see a
parallel to this in the Adventist Church, with
the tens representing the churches, the fifties
the conferences, the hundreds the unions,
and the thousands the divisions, all being
supervised by the General Conference?
"The division of the General Conference
into District Union Conferences was God's
arrangement."—Testimonies,
vol.
8, pp.
232,
233
(1948 ed., p. 232).
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Business Activities
7.
How was the business of the
church, such as selection of officers
and plans for the work, carried for-
ward in the apostolic days? 2 Cor.
8:18, 19; Acts 14:23.
NOTE.—Observe the expression "chosen of
the churches." In the other text we see Paul
ordaining elders in the churches. Rother-
ham's and Weymouth's translations indicate
how this was done, "appointing unto them
by vote in each assembly [elders]." "They
selected elders by show of hands."
"Tell it to the church, and let action be
taken."—Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 617.
"Every member of the church has a voice
in choosing officers of the
church."—Testi-
monies,
vol. 8, p. 236.
"The church chooses the officers of the
state conferences. Delegates chosen by the
state conferences choose the officers of the
union conferences; and delegates chosen by
the union conferences choose the officers of
the General Conference. By this arrange-
ment every conference, every institution,
every church, and every individual, either
directly or through representatives, has a
voice in the election of the men who bear the
chief responsibilities in the General Confer-
ence."—Testimonies,
vol. 8, pp. 236, 237.
8.
What plan was followed con-
cerning the delegation from local
churches to larger councils of the
church? Acts 15:1, 2, 6.
NoTE.—In this council there was a chair-
man ; there were delegates, and an action
was adopted to be sent to the churches.
Verses 13, 19, 23. Voting was done in much
the same manner as we vote today. The
Greek word rendered "chosen" in 2 Corin-
thians 8:19 and "ordained" in Acts 14:23
means lifting up or stretching out the hand.
Concerning the council at Jerusalem we
read:
"The entire body of Christians was not
called to vote upon the question."—The
Acts
of the Apostles,
page 196.
"The council which decided this case was
composed of apostles and teachers who had
been prominent in raising up the Jewish and
Gentile Christian churches, with chosen
delegates from various places."—/bid.
Working Together
9.
What experience in the Old
Testament church illustrates how
members may work together? Neh.
3:1, 2; 1 Chron. 12:33, 38.
NOTE.—In Nehemiah 3 observe the ex-
pressions "next unto him" and "after him"
used nearly thirty times.
"Each man became a Nehemiah in his
turn, and helped to make stronger the heart
and hand of his
neighbor."—Prophets and
Kings,
page 638.
10.
How is this thought of unity
in service emphasized in the apostolic
church? 2 Cor. 6:1; 1 Cor. 3:9.
NOTE.—It is well to meditate on these and
similar expressions: "being knit together in
love" (Col. 2:2), "striving together for the
faith of the gospel" (Phil. 1:27), "workers
together with Him" (2 Cor. 6:1), "helping
together by prayer" (2 Cor. 1:11), "we are
laborers together" (1 Cor. 3:9).
[ 37 ]
Sympathetic Relationships
11.
What is to be the relationship
of members toward one another in the
church of Christ? Rom. 12:10; 1
Thess. 2:8.
NOTE.—The words "kindly affectioned"
and "affectionately desirous" are the only
instances in the New Testament of the use
of these words in their original Greek form.
But they show the deep love of the apostle
for the believers; they indicate also the re-
lationship which should obtain in the church
today.
In all church relationships, in discussions,
in plans, in service, one important guiding
principle should be recognized. We are not
independent of one another; we are part of
the living church; each member must con-
sider the result of his actions on other mem-
bers of the church.
"We must consider the relation that each
worker sustains to the other workers con-
nected with the cause of God.... We must
not bar the mind against counsel. In our
plans for the carrying forward of the work,
our mind must blend with other minds."—
Testimonies to Ministers,
page 500.
"They should defer their individual judg-
ment to the judgment of the body of the
church."—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 18.
"All these [differences] may be avoided
if self is surrendered to God and the fol-
lowers of Jesus obey the voice of the church."
—Ibid.,
p. 19.
Christ's Love for His Church
12.
How is the love of Christ for
His church expressed? Jer. 31:3; Eph.
2:4.
NOTE.—"I' testify to my brethren and
sisters that the church of Christ, enfeebled
and defective as it may be, is the only object
on earth on which He bestows His supreme
regard."—Testimonies to Ministers,
page 15.
13.
To what extent did Christ love
His church? Eph. 5:25.
NOTE:—"Christ is present in every assem-
bly of the church. He is ecquainted with
everyone connected with His service. He
knows those whose hearts He can fill with
the holy oil, that they may impart it to
others. Those who faithfully carry forward
the work of Christ in our world, represent-
ing in word and works the character of God,
fulfilling the Lord's purpose for them, are
in His sight very precious. Christ takes
pleasure in them as a man takes pleasure in
a well-kept garden and the fragrance of the
flowers he has
planted."—Testimonies,
vol.
6, p. 419 (1948 ed., pp. 418, 419).
14.
What is Christ's ultimate stand-
ard for His church? Eph. 5:27.
Illustration:
Billy Bray, the famous Cornish preacher,
lived among the tin miners. He was preach-
ing to a large group of them, and told the
story of two mines, one very prosperous, the
other very poor.
"Suppose I work at the poor one. The
hours are long, the wages are poor," he is
reported as saying. "On payday I go to the
rich mine, but they remind me I do not
work there, and I must go for wages where
I find my work. 'Oh,' I say, don't like the
wages there; I like your wages better !' Will
they pay me their wages if I don't do their
work?"
Turning suddenly on his congregation,
Billy Bray said, "You must serve Christ here
if you want His reward by and by !"
Are you working together with your fel-
lows in the church of Christ on earth?
For Further Reading:
1.
On the need for unity today.
Testi-
monies,
vol. 9, pp. 257, 258;
Patriarchs and
Prophets,
page 376;
The Desire of Ages,
page 680.
2.
On democratic action in the church.
Testimonies,
vol. 8, pp. 236, 237;
The Acts
of the Apostles,
pages 196, 197.
[ 38 ]
Lesson 12, for March 21, 1953
Leadership in the Church of Christ
MEMORY VERSE:
"Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men,
such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over
them." Ex.
18:21.
STUDY HELP:
"The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church," chapter
12.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
1.
General survey of the lesson.
5.
Questions 9, 10; read study help
2.
Questions 1-3.
assignment.
3.
Questions 4, 5; memorize Ex.
6.
Questions
11, 12.
1 8:2 1.
7.
Review the entire lesson.
4. Questions 6-8.
Lesson Outline:
I.
The Call to Leadership.
1.
God calls men through the Holy
Ghost. Acts 20:28.
2.
First step in organization of church
was ordination of twelve apostles,
who were comparable to twelve
patriarchs.
The Acts of the Apos-
tles,
page 18;
The Desire of Ages,
p. 291.
II. The Requisites of Leadership.
1.
Spiritual rectitude and fear of God.
Ex. 18:21; 1 Cor. 13:1;
The Min-
istry of Healing,
page 37.
2.
Loving directors. Rom. 12:8.
III. The Responsibilities of Leadership.
1.
They must feed with truth, and lead
unselfishly. 1 Peter 5:1, 2.
2.
They must do all for the perfecting
and edifying of the saints. Eph.
4:11, 12.
IV. The Relationships of Leaders.
1.
True leaders are servants of all.
Mark 10:42, 43 ; 1 Peter .5:3.
2.
They will contend for principles, but
not against individuals.
THE LESSON
The Call

"chief" is in other places rendered "judge"
1. What provision for leadership
and "governor."
did God make in the apostolic church?

2.
What were some of the terms
1 Cor. 12:28.

used to designate the leaders of the
apostolic church? Eph.
4:11; Acts
20:28.
NoTE.-Besides apostles, et cetera, God
provided for "governments." The Greek
word used here means steering or directing,
and is translated by Moffatt "administra-
tors," and by Weymouth "powers of organ-
ization." It is evident that Paul directed the
churches, 1 Cor. 7:17; 16:1; also that he
directed the workers, 1 Cor. 4:17; Eph. 6:
21-23. The thought of direction is indicated
also in the term "overseers," Acts 20:28 ;
"chief men," Acts 15:22. The word rendered
NorE.-Various terms were used, as elders,
deacons, overseers, chief men, pastors, teach-
ers, evangelists, et cetera. The term "elder"
was applied to two groups of men-those
like Paul the apostle, and the group of local
elders. The former were ordained by the
church at large, and could serve the church
in all the world. The latter were ordained
[39
]
by action of and for the local church, which
ordination qualified them to serve in that
local sphere.
3. What principles enter into the
choice of leaders in the church of
Christ? Acts 6:3-6.
NoTE.—Leaders in the church were not
appointed by those holding higher office in
the church; neither were they alone ap-
pointed by the church members. The Sev-
enth-day Adventist Church believes that
both ministry and laity should share in the
responsibility of electing leaders. This is
Biblical, as will be seen:
a.
In the choice of the seven. Peter said to
the church, "Look ye out." Following this,
"they chose" and later the apostles ap-
pointed. Acts 6:3, 5, 6.
b.
In the ordination of local elders. Re-
ferring again to Acts 14:23, we see that Paul
counseled with the church; and the church,
in selecting the elders, voted concerning them
by the uplifted hand.
Sometimes God calls the individual di-
rectly, as He did in the case of Paul; even
then the individual so called is brought into
touch with the church. Acts 9:4, 6, 17. Later,
the church says Amen to this call of God:
this was seen in the decision to ordain. Acts
13:1-3.
The Requisites
4. What spiritual qualifications
does the Lord require of leaders in
His work? Ex. 18:21; Acts 6:3.
NOTE.—These scriptures should be prayer-
fully pondered by every leader in the church.
On the expression "hating covetousness," the
Menge translation of the German Bible
reads,
"Men who cannot be bought or sold
with bribes."
5.
What kind of men does the Lord
desire His leaders to be?
ANSWER: Men of courage. Acts 15:25, 26.
Men of conviction. 1 Chron. 12:32.
Men who work with steady purpose.
2 Cor. 8:10, 11.
Men who speak well of their fellow la-
borers as did Paul. 1 Cor. 16:10, 11.
Men of just judgment. Deut. 16:18-20.
This is God's counsel to those who sit on
committees, men who have to make deci-
sions.
NoTE.—Josiah G. Holland has well said:
"God give us men. A time like this de-
mands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith,
and ready hands!
Men whom the lust of office does not
kill,
Men whom the spoils of office cannot
buy,
Men who possess opinions and a will,
Men who have honor, men who will
not lie."
6.
How are leaders warned against
independence in judgment? Prov. 24:
6. Compare 1 Chron. 13:1.
Nora.—"We must move discreetly, sensi-
bly, in harmony with the judgment of God-
fearing counselors; for in this course alone
lies our safety and
strength."—Testimonies,
vol. 9, p. 257.
The Responsibilities
7.
What responsibilities rest upon
those who are called to leadership?
1 Peter 5:2, 3; Rom. 12:8.
[
40]
NOTE.—In the one text Peter speaks of
"taking the oversight;" in the other Paul
speaks of him "that ruleth." Ruling in the
church is different from what it is in the
world. The true leader does not stay behind
and push, but, like the faithful shepherd, he
will go before and guide the sheep. He will
not urge the church to do anything he is not
willing to do himself ; he will take the initia-
tive and show the way. The true leader in
the church will also "feed the flock of God."
8.
What should be the ultimate
objective of church leadership? Eph.
4:11, 12.
NoTE.—The idea in these texts is that the
objective of the gifts of leadership is the per-
fecting of God's people. Such was Paul's
goal. Col. 1:28. This will be accomplished
quite largely by leading believers into fruit-
ful avenues of missionary endeavor. Rother-
ham in his translation of Ephesians 4:12
gives, "with a view to the fitting of the saints
for the work of ministering," and Wey-
mouth's translation is, "in order fully to
equip His people for the work of serving."
This is the solemn responsibility of leader-
ship.
"There should be a well-organized plan
for the employment of workers to go into all
our churches, large and small, to instruct
the members how to labor for the upbuild-
ing of the church and also for unbelievers.
It is training, education, that is needed."—
Testimonies,
vol. 9, p. 117.
"The leaders in God's cause, as wise gen-
erals, are to lay plans for advance moves all
along the line. In their planning they are to
give special study to the work that can be
done by the laity for their friends and neigh-
bors."—Testimonies,
vol. 9, pp. 116, 117.
9.
What will be the final test of
successful leadership? 1 Cor. 3:13, 14.
NoTE.—It is important that genuine, solid
work be done, care being taken to see that
the work does not ravel out.
The Relationships
10.
What counsel does the Lord
give concerning the relation of church
members to the leaders of the church?
1 Thess. 5:13; Heb. 13:7, 17.
NOTE.—"There have ever been in the
church those who are constantly inclined
toward individual independence. They seem
unable to realize that independence of spirit
is liable to lead the human agent to have too
much confidence in himself and to trust in
his own judgment rather than to respect the
counsel and highly esteem the judgment of
his brethren, especially of those in the offices
that God has appointed for the leadership of
His people. God has invested His church
with special authority and power, which no
one can be justified in disregarding and de-
spising; for he who does this despises the
voice of
God."—The Acts of the Apostles,
pages 163, 164.
11.
What instruction does God
give as to the relation the leaders sus-
tain to the members of the church?
Mark 10:42-44; 1 Peter 5:3.
NoTE.—The apostle states that "we
showed ourselves gentle when among you as
a nursing mother cherishing her own chil-
dren." 1 Thess. 2:7, Weymouth.
12.
What example did Jesus, the
Great Shepherd of the sheep, leave
to His undershepherds? Matt. 14:14;
Mark 1:41; Luke 7:13; Matt. 9:36.
NoTE.—Christ the Lord in His contacts
with the people was deeply touched with
their spiritual and physical needs. Notice
that He "was moved with compassion to-
ward them"—in a time of hunger, in a time
of sickness, in a time of death, and in a time
of spiritual need.
"He left His heavenly home to seek for us.
Shall we not become His undershepherds, to
seek for the lost and straying? Shall we not
reveal in our lives His divine tenderness and
compassion
?"—Testimonies,
vol. 9, p. 54.
[ 41 ]
Illustration:
Phocion, the Athenian general and states-
man, was advancing to defend the coasts
ravaged by Nucion. Many of his Athenian
followers, however, were impertinent and
offered him gratuitous and dictatorial advice.
"Well, well!" he exclaimed, "how many
generals we have, and how few soldiers!"
Are you a good soldier, or are you a would-
be "general"?
For Further Reading:
1.
Leadership is not dependent on wealth
or learning, but on humility and spirituality.
The Ministry of Healing,
page 37.
2.
Leadership is not love of office, but a
call from God. Eph. 4:11.
3.
We should move discreetly, in harmony
with God-fearing leaders.
Testimonies,
vol.
9,
p.
257.
Lesson 13, for March 28, 1953
The Objectives of the Church of Christ
MEMORY VERSE:
"Go ye therefore, and make disciples (or, Christians) of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost." Matt. 28:19, margin.
STUDY HELP:
"The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church," chapter 13.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
1.
General survey of the lesson.
2.
Questions 1, 2; memorize
Matt. 28:19.
3.
Questions 3, 4; read study help
assignment.
4.
Questions 5-7.
5.
Questions 8-11.
6.
Questions 12, 13.
7.
Review the entire lesson.
Christ and His Church
1.
How does Jesus regard His
church on earth? Eph. 5:25, 29.
Lesson Outline:
I.
Work for the
World.
In
preaching the gospel, in exalting
Christ, in winning souls for God.
II.
Comfort for the Church.
In worship, in fellowship, in unity.
III.
Service Through the Church.
In
missionary effort, in financial re-
sponsibility, in concerted action.
Key Thoughts:
1. "Go ye." The great imperative of the
gospel is to go to others with it.
2.
"Preach the gospel." Preaching includes
every form of missionary endeavor.
3.
"Teaching all nations." Making clear
by precept and example the joys of the
Christian way of life.
4.
"Baptizing them." The goal of all
Christian endeavor.
5.
"All power is given unto Me." The rea-
son why the church is to go to all the world
and win souls for Christ.
6.
"In the name . . S." The New Testa-
ment church was on fire with the blessed
name of Jesus.
THE LESSON
NOTE.—"God has a people in which all
heaven is interested, and they are the one
object on earth dear to the heart of God."
—Testimonies to Ministers,
page
41.
[ 42 1
2.
How intimate is our relationship
with Jesus through the church? Eph.
5:30, 32.
NOTE.—"It [the church] is the theater of
His grace, in which He delights to reveal His
power to transform hearts."—The
Acts of
the Apostles,
page 12.
3.
What is the plan of God for
carrying the gospel message to all the
world? Mark 16:15.
NOTE.—This is by preaching, 1 Cor. 1:21;
by publishing, Isa. 52:7 ; by witnessing, Acts
26:22. This calls for announcing or telling
the gospel both publicly and privately, and
not only so, but
living
as well as
preaching
the truth. Rom. 2:21; 1 Cor. 9:27.
4.
Who is to be the center of all
.
our preaching? 1 Cor. 1:23; 2:2.
NOTE.—Our preaching is to be Christ-
centered; every truth radiates from Him.
In our witness for God, Christ is to be "mag-
nified," Phil. 1:20; He is to be glorified, 1
Cor. 6:20; He is to be "all, and in all," Col.
3:11. We are to preach:
"Christ crucified, Christ risen, Christ
ascended into the heavens, Christ coming
again. . . .
"Lift up Jesus, you that teach the people,
lift Him up in sermon, in song, in prayer.
Let all your powers be directed to pointing
souls, confused, bewildered, lost, to the
Lamb of
God.' "—Gospel Workers,
pages
159, 160.
5.
What is the supreme objective
in all the efforts of the church of God?
Matt. 28:19.
NoTs.—God's purpose is that we "seek
and . . . save that which was lost" (Luke
19:10), and that we seek to "catch men"
(Luke 5:10). "He that winneth souls is
wise." Prov. 11:30. Notice the encouraging
promise to soul winners. "They that turn
many to righteousness [shall shine] as the
stars." Dan. 12:3.
"Our greatest burden should be . . . the
salvation of
souls."—Testimonies,
vol. 9, p.
85.
"The conversion of souls to God is the
greatest, the noblest work in which human
beings can have a
part."—Testimonies, vol.
7
,
p. 52.
Comfort for the Church
6.
What symbol illustrates the re-
lationships which should obtain in
His church? Gal. 6:10; 2 Cor. 6:18.
7.
What is one way in which the
joy and happiness of church relation-
ship is expressed? Col. 3:16; Ps. 133:
1; John 17:21.
NoTE.—The church is the place where
God's children learn to live together in
Christian fellowship ; it is the grand rehearsal
for living together in heaven. The constant
grinding and subsequent smoothing of the
pebbles on the beach, illustrate quite aptly
the experiences which come to us in our con-
tacts in church life.
"Unity existing among the followers of
Christ is an evidence that the Father has sent
His Son to save sinners. It is a witness to His
power; for nothing short of the miraculous
power of God can bring human beings with
their different temperaments together in
harmonious action, their one aim being to
speak the truth in
love."—Testimonies,
vol.
9, p. 194.
8.
What word expresses God's
plan that His people ,enjoy the com-
munion of saints? 1 John 1:3, 7.
NOTE.—"The word 'fellowship' means
participation, partnership."—Gospel
Work-
ers,
page 392.
"When consecrated believers assemble,
. charity, or love, the bond of perfectness,
will encircle them. Love to God and their
fellow men flows out naturally in words of
[43
]
affection, sympathy, and esteem for their
brethren."—Testimonies, vol.
1, p. 509.
Service Through the Church
9.
What is embraced in the Sav-
iour's commission to the church?
Matt. 28:19, 20.
NOTE.—We are to
baptize
disciples, we
are to
teach
disciples; we are not only to
seek for them,
but we are to seek to
keep
them
in the church. The one is important,
so also is the other.
10.
What progressive work is essen-
tial in Christian growth? Heb. 6:1, 2;
2 Peter 3:18.
11.
To how many does the Sav-
iour's commission to preach and teach
the gospel message apply? Mark 13:
34.
NOTE.—Observe the expression, "and to
every man his work." The members of the
early church were eager to witness for God.
"They that were scattered abroad went
everywhere preaching the word." Acts 8:4.
"The .commission that Christ gave to His
disciples just before His ascension is the great
missionary charter of His kingdom."—Testi-
monies,
vol. 8, p. 14.
"Christ gave this commission to His dis-
ciples as His chief ministers, the architects
who were to lay the foundation of His
church."—Ibid.
"The Saviour's commission to the disciples
included all the believers. It includes all be-
lievers in Christ to the end of time."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 822.
12.
What passages in the Holy
Scriptures illustrate the work of win-
ning men and women to God? Luke
5:9, 10; Jer. 16:16; Matt. 5:16; Phil.
2:15.
NOTE.—"In a special sense Seventh-day
Adventists have been set in the world as
watchmen and light bearers. To them has
been entrusted the last warning for a perish-
ing world. On them is shining wonderful
light from the word of God. .. . There is no
other work of so great importance. They are
to allow nothing else to absorb their
atten-
tion."—Testimonies,
vol. 9, p. 19.
13.
In addition to that of working
individually for souls, what other re-
sponsibility has the Lord laid upon
His children? Mal. 3:8, 10.
NOTE.—"Thus it will ever be when the
Spirit of God takes possession of the life.
Those whose hearts are filled with the love
of Christ, will follow the example of Him
who for our sake became poor, that through
His poverty we might be made rich. Money,
time, influence,—all the gifts they have re-
ceived from God's hand, they will value
only as a means of advancing the work of
the gospel. Thus it was in the early church."
—The Acts of the Apostles,
page 71.
14.
What is it our privilege to re-
ceive, as
-
we enter wholeheartedly into
the service of God? Acts 1:8; Lev.
8:24.
NoTE.—As we consecrate, God sanctifies.
The illustration in Leviticus 8 fittingly rep-
resents the anointing of the Holy Spirit for
44
service. The ear, the hand, and the foot were
anointed; the ear, to signify that we hear
God's voice; the foot, that we walk with
Him; the hand, that we now work with
Him. What a blessed privilege !
"As the divine endowment—the power of
the Holy Spirit—was given to the disciples,
so it will today be given to all who seek
aright.... In giving us His Spirit, God gives
us Himself, making Himself a fountain of
divine influences, to give health and life to
the
world."—Testimonies, vol.
7, p. 273.
Illustrations:
1.
Emerson, in speaking on the ethics of
human service, said, "Serve and thou shalt
be served. If you love and serve men, you
cannot, by any hiding or stratagem, escape
the remuneration."
Christ has provided all the power we need
for service, and if we willingly use His power
in the finishing of His work, we know He
will come with His unfailing reward. "To
every man his work;" and, if it is unselfishly
done, it is equally true to say, "To every
man his reward."
2.
A good pastor once said, "It is a rule of
mine never to do anything myself which I
can get someone else to do." He had the
right idea. He had a church to induce into
Christian activity. If he did all the work,
they would lose their chance, and thereby
they would be damaged. He saw that the
work was done; but he let the people have
the benefit and blessing of doing it.
For Further Reading:
"Christ has given to the church a sacred
charge. Every member should be a channel
through which God can communicate to the
world the treasures of His grace, the un-
searchable riches of Christ. There is noth-
ing that the Saviour desires so much as
agents who will represent to the world His
Spirit and His character. There is nothing
that the world needs so much as the mani-
festation through humanity of the Saviour's
love. All heaven is waiting for men and
women through whom God can reveal the
power of Christianity.
"The church is God's agency for the proc-
lamation of truth, empowered by Him to do
a special work; and if she is loyal to Him,
obedient to all His commandments, there
will dwell within her the excellancy of divine
grace. If she will be true to her allegiance,
if she will honor the Lord God of Israel,
there is no power that can stand against
her."—The Acts of the Apostles,
page 600.
45
INDIVIDUAL SABBATH SCHOOL OFFERING GOAL
"As God hath prospered him"
MY WEEKLY GOAL (Check Amount)
$5.00
"God loveth a
cheerful giver"
RECORD
1.
7.
13
2.00
2.
8
Birthday
1.50
3
9
1.00
4 .
10
Investment
5.
11
.50
6
12
TOTAL
.40
THIRTEENTH SABBATH OFFERING
March 28, 1953—Far Eastern Division
The overflow from the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering on March 28
will go to the Far Eastern Division to help in providing essential build-
ings and equipment in three major educational institutions:
i. Japan Missionary College, near Tokyo. This is our only secondary
or collegiate school in Japan, and it is badly handicapped by a lack of
essential buildings and equipment.
2.
The North Celebes Training School in the Indonesia Union. This
school has several incomplete buildings which must be finished before
it can function efficiently.
3.
The new junior college now being started on the island of Min-
danao. This college will meet an urgent need for educational facilities
in the newly organized South Philippine Union Mission.
[46]